So Now We Have Fires in Christchurch NGC

[Muzz]

With the 6th anniversary of the earthquake only one week away we now have a major fire going on in the Port Hills. Reported now to be covering some 2,000 hectares some 8 homes have now been destroyed, a new multi million $ mountain bike park has been badly hit and plantations and bush reserves have gone up in smoke.

We have had weeks of our low humidity nor' wester winds for weeks so the bush, scrub and tussock is tinder dry. The winds at the moment keep changing, so as soon as they get one part under control the wind changes and off it goes again. The terrain is difficult and steep and the temps at the moment are high.

Sadly, one chopper doing the monsoon bucket work has crashed and the pilot, a former NZ SAS soldier has been killed.

I feel for the fire fighters up there on the hill, and for the people who have lost their homes.

[Johncolleary]

You have earthquakes in the winter and fires in the summer!!
You just can't win.
Hang in there Muzz

[Muzz]

We are fine where we are John. One of my favourite rides along the Summit Road will all be charcoal next time though. This is the first time in all my years here that I can remember the Port Hills going up.

Edit. Only just announced that the mountain bike park (about 17 million $NZ) has been saved. It has a chair lift, a village and was a massive investment so early after the earthquake. Although it has only been open for a short time it has been incredibly popular, and it would have heartbreaking if it had been wiped out. Where it goes through the trees has been hit, but as a spokesperson said, trees grow.

At the moment the wind is nor' easterly, which is good as that comes off the ocean and is cool and damp, (also called the Brighton Bastard) and rain (showers) are forecast for tomorrow. The firefighters need all the help they can get.

[Tom H]

Good luck down there!

So. Ca. gets it's share of fires. With all the rain we've had, everything is growing great. Not looking forward to when it dries out

Tom

[RANDM]

All the best Muzz - hope you get good and wet!!
We Vic'ies may be lucky this year fingers crossed, to late
For NSW - I heard the fires were so big and intense up
there that they created their own Weather patterns with
Lightning and all the trimmings!

All the best Maurie.

[johnr]

And here have I been mouthing off in the past, especially to Australians,  about how we are not prone to bush fires.  And here we have this lot on the Port hills (Christchurch) sending off a plume of smoke that can be seen on the weather satellites.



There have also been problems with fires up Blenheim way (top of the South Island) and near Hastings (East coast of the other island)

It seems that dry hot places are getting dryer and hotter while damp windy spots are getting damper and windier.  Summer is barely perceptible in Invercargill.

[twowings]

sorry to hear...hope everyone is safe..

[Muzz]

My thinking is that it is a result of our drive for more parks and reserves, and getting rid of stock.

The stock of course keeps the grass at a manageable level. With no stock the tussock has really taken off, and now in these conditions it is pure petrol. It races through the tussock and in to the next pine plantation or piece of bush. With the wind pushing it along the flame front can move really fast.

I see some postings appearing on YouTube now.

[Nic in Western NYS]

Hope that beautiful land of yours gets back to normal quick.

[Arizona Wayne]

Good luck down there!

So. Ca. gets it's share of fires. With all the rain we've had, everything is growing great. Not looking forward to when it dries out

Tom

Your fires sadly are usually man made. 

[Muzz]

One was an electrical fault. The other.........start ed at a car park... put 2 and 2 together. I suspect a smoker tossing a butt but it is under investigation.

Not looking good for the moment. Choppers probably stop flying in about 2 hours time. 2 days until rain with winds predicted to pick up in the meantime.

[oldbike54]

Hope that beautiful land of yours gets back to normal quick.

  :1: The one good thing , nature normally recovers quickly from the ravages of fire . We have a couple of varieties of pine trees in the states that need fire to propagate . Stay safe fellas .

 Dusty

[RANDM]

And here have I been mouthing off in the past, especially to Australians,  about how we are not prone to bush fires.  And here we have this lot on the Port hills (Christchurch) sending off a plume of smoke that can be seen on the weather satellites.

'Snot something I'm happy for you to emulate sir - stop it, stop it now.
Firebugs are beyond understanding and one of the few things I'd happily cull and plow in for fertiliser
without a second thought.

All the best to all of youse.
If the hammer makes the Steel strong, you guy's are gonna be shiny shiny - not that you were that shabby
in any case : )

Maurie.

[Bill Hagan]

Apologies for missing this thread.

And condolences to all affected, especially the family of the downed firefighter helo pilot.

Will wander around images and news later today to remind me of the misfortune there.

Bill

[Muzz]

A bit of drizzle overnight, which will have helped. Wind at the moment is quite light thank goodness; the wind changes have caused havoc in the previous days. Light rain expected to develop over the next two days. The fire fighters certainly need a break. The spokesman is referring to the fire as being currently "contained" rather than "under control".

11 houses now gone. One couple had just moved back in after having their earthquake repairs done. I would hate to see their stress levels.

[RANDM]

I was saddened to hear about the water bomber accident.
Those people are amazing as are all involved in fighting
these monsters.

Maurie.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Apologies for missing this thread.

And condolences to all affected, especially the family of the downed firefighter helo pilot.

Will wander around images and news later today to remind me of the misfortune there.

Bill

What Bill says. Sorry, but I can't pee a drop to help you.. (old Indiana term that's maybe inappropriate).. and will be thinking about you.

[Muzz]

Went for a ride on the Guzzi just before lunchtime today. The roads up the hill are all closed off but I was able to get a good view of the damage from down below.   At that stage no flames were visible and the choppers I saw were dropping on hot spots rather than protecting houses. They have managed to bulldoze a break from top to bottom on the south end of the fire; I suspect they have it now actually under control. There has been a steady, wetting drizzle since just after lunch along with very little wind, a real godsend. A lot of the guys have been doing 12 hours straight, don't know how they do it.

The head reported that they are now at the thermal imaging stage to find hot spots, which to me is a pretty good sign.

Wind is due to change on Monday to hot and dry (although the weather site I look at says continuing nor' easter but strong) so they will really be trying to douse the hot spots while they can. A Hercules has evidently arrived bringing more supplies of fire retardent from Australia.

Chuck, next time you pee with velocity, spare a thought for those fire fighters.

[RANDM]

Good to hear Muzz, Good to hear.

[trippah]

Sad to hear about the loss of life.  I heard on the "news" today that New Zealand is the remains of a lost continent they have named Zealandia.  Bet that was quite the rumble.  Stay safe +1

[Muzz]

Sad to hear about the loss of life.  I heard on the "news" today that New Zealand is the remains of a lost continent they have named Zealandia.  Bet that was quite the rumble.  Stay safe +1

I remember it as if it were yesterday.

Two days of drizzle have helped. Damping down hot spots. They are allowing some people back in now.

[Tom H]

Good to hear.

Wish I could send the dang rain we had today down there!

Tom