Tonight in Christchurch, 10 helicopters and firefighters onboard 15 trucks and tankers, are battling a large fire in the Port Hills.
The fire started around 2:15 this afternoon and plumes of black smoke are billowing across the city.
Power is out to at least 15,000 properties, and residents of Worsleys Road and Worsleys Spur have been told to evacuate immediately.
Evacuation centres have been set up at the Halswell Library and Community Centre and the Lincoln Community Centre.
