Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon
Fire crews continue to battle a vegetation fire that broke out on Christchurch's Port Hills on Wednesday afternoon.
Today, 95 Fire and Emergency New Zealand staff are on site, with 22 trucks and tankers, 12 helicopters, two planes and five diggers.
The fire spread quickly, burning through 650 hectares of land. It is now 70 percent contained.
Approximately 110 homes were evacuated as a result of the fire, but many residents have since been allowed home.
Just 33 homes remain unable to be accessed.
But the community has been warned to remain vigilant.
Fire operations commander Des Irving told a community meeting there were "some flare ups" overnight and people "did the right thing".
"They called 111 and we responded accordingly and that's exactly what we want to happen so for those people going back - if that eventuates - into their homes, you still must remain vigilant for some time."
He urged any residents who were able to return home to keep a go bag and keep pets inside and cages nearby.
Check out images from RNZ reporters and visual journalists from day three of the fire below:
The haze around Marleys Hill near Sugarloaf transmitter early this morning. Photo: RNZ / Charlotte Cook
Fire and Emergency NZ crews gather for morning briefings at the community hub/command centre. Photo: RNZ/Charlotte Cook
Smoke billowing, as seen from Hoon Hay Valley Road. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
Photo: RNZ / Charlotte Cook
FENZ incident controller Dave Stackhouse gives media an update on the situation. Photo: RNZ
Emergency Management and Response Minister Mark Mitchell. Photo: RNZ
Selwyn mayor Sam Broughton and Christchurch City mayor Phil Mauger. Photo: RNZ
Inspector Ash Tabb. Photo: RNZ
At the Port Hills fireground. Photo: RNZ/Samantha Gee
Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon
Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon
Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon
Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon
Photo: RNZ / Nathan McKinnon
Photo: RNZ/Samantha Gee
Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon
Photo: RNZ / Nathan McKinnon
Photo: RNZ / Nathan McKinnon
Photo: RNZ / Nathan McKinnon
Photo: RNZ / Nathan McKinnon
Photo: RNZ / Nathan McKinnon
Photo: RNZ / Nathan McKinnon
