More than 600 hectares of land in Christchurch’s Port Hills were consumed by flames after two fires broke out on Monday, February 13.These videos show the helicopters water-bombing the flames as well as a timelapse throughout the evening.
New Zealand news outlet Stuff reported that resources were being stretched between the two scrub fires, and firefighters were expected to battle the blazes for another two to three days.
Radio NZ reported that at least 24 homes were evacuated and livestock in the area was killed as fire ripped through houses.
On Tuesday, February 14, one of the 15 helicopters involved in containing the blaze crashed, killing the pilot, police said. Credit: Luke Hamilton via Storyful