Fire

Paul Harding Brown and his wife Deborah have been evacuated twice from their home on Kennedys Bush Road. he says Christchurch has had its share of disasters. Audio

Principal Gavin Burn says the decision was made earlier this morning as he felt families affected by the fire needed to focus on more immediate challenges. He says the police request to keep the roads… Audio

Our reporter Maja Burry says evacuees are arriving looking weary and exhausted, but they were banding together and supporting each other. Audio

Conan Young describes the scenes from the foot of the Port Hills as the blaze burns on this morning. Audio

Orion CEO Rob Jamieson says the pylon circuits in the fire's path have been damaged causing outages, but he's confident they can keep the rest of the city going. He says residents should be thinking… Audio

The army is supporting police on the ground in Christchurch and have specialist fire-fighters helping battle the blaze. Lieutenant Colonel Rob Loftus says the army personnel is doing whatever needs to… Audio

Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel says calling a State of Emergency has highlighted the seriousness of the situation and helps prompt a inter-agency approach to helping Christchurch. Audio

Inspector Derek Erasmus describes seeing exploding trees as he surveyed the fire damage overnight. Audio

MetService forecaster Erick Brenstrum says there is no rain forecast for Christchurch until later in the week. Audio

We get an update from Alan Beck as he comes into land at the control centre. Says the pilots are very experienced and extra resources are being brought in. He is one of the helicopter pilots… Audio

Lynda Burdekin from the Te Hapua Halswell Centre says about 20 people stayed there overnight. She says most were worried, but surprisingly calm. Audio

Selwyn District principal rural officer Douglas Marshall says 15 choppers and two planes will be fighting the blaze today. Audio

Gerry Brownlee says the Civil Defence response was a bit slow and will be looked at retrospectively. Government will provide assistance when he can. Challenging for the city. Audio

RNZ Conan Young says fires are still burning strongly. Audio

Selwyn District Mayor Sam Broughton asks people to comply with requests to leave their homes and if they feel unsure ask for help. Audio

Police are now evacuating residents downhill of the Sign of the Takahe on Dyers Pass. Civil defence controller, Dave Adamson, says the top priority is life and they are better to move people out… Audio

Our Christchurch bureau chief Belinda McCammon is on the line now Audio