On 13 February 2017 , two bush fires started on the Port Hills . These merged over the next two days and the single very large wild fire extended down both sides of the Port Hill almost reaching Governors Bay in the south-west , and the Westmorland , Kennedys Bush , and Dyers Pass Road almost down to the Sign of the Takahe . Eleven houses were destroyed by fire , over one thousand residents were evacuated from their homes , and over of land was burned
two bush fires started
2017 Port Hills fires
Christchurch