scrubbedexpat094

Hope you guys in Chch are alright down there. Absolutely terrible and scary stuff. Really I think that Chch has had more than it's fair share of natural disasters.

Stay safe.

LauraNotts

I'll take Locusts for $1000 please Bob.

Seriously though it's pretty eerie and looks like more houses are in the way of the flames. I just hope they can get it under control. It's not too far from one of the hospitals now.

Pollyana

Scary stuff. It seems to be moving very fast and is not contained at all at present. Latest reports we got at work over here said one dead and several homes destroyed. Judging by its unpredictability I reckon there will be a lot more property losses yet.

Up to 40 homes destroyed in raging Port Hills fire - National - NZ Herald News

If I tread on anyone's toes here I apologise, but I wouldn't imagine Christchurch residents are accustomed to having a bushfire plan ready, so a few hints that people might want to pass on to family/friends:

• Anyone in its path might be well advised to make plans to leave asap.
• If you are further from the active fire but could be in its path, make a decision as to whether you want to stay and defend the property, or leave, and stick to that decision.
• If leaving, take important papers and medication etc with you, and go as soon as you can in order to get out before roads close.
• If you have pets, be aware that most evacuation centres will not take them.
• Do not expect individual visits telling you to evacuate, in fires like this there is no time for that.
• Be aware that phone (including mobile), radio, and tv communications may all fail. Texts may get through if voice messages don't.
• If you evacuate, once you are clear let family and friends know so that they are not worried about you and do not start calling the authorities to find out if you are safe.
• Remember, property and possessions can be replaced, think of personal survival as the priority.

Mishclark

I hope everyone is ok, I'm not sure if anyone on here lives near the area. I don't know anyone that lives near the fires.

I am accustomed to it happening in Australia and have had to evacuate twice in my life, not something I thought I would see in Christchurch..(I'm in Australia at the moment)

take care all!

Michelle

Pom_Chch

Just what Chch needs approaching the 6 year anniversary of the EQ

scrubbedexpat094

That Mother Nature is a right tart ain't she. Wish we could send our rain down to you. I believe that one of the fires was started due to an electrical fault. Let's hope that the others weren't started deliberately or due to human carelessness.

BEVS

I know Pom. You echo my own thoughts.

Hugs to everyone down there.

BEVS

Hopefully the drizzle will help a little bit

MrsFychan

hearing that the fires might be contained, lets bloody hope so. Really really hope some of these fires are not man made, as being suggested.

Pollyana

Its a huge problem over here in Aus, a lot of kids start fires just out of fascination to see what will happen, and there are also an unfortunately large number started by adults. I just can't get my head round it, most of these people ar found to live in the communities that they endanger, and ther is even a known issue where firefighters start blazes themselves so that they can be the 'local hero'. Its a sad and scary fact of firefighting over here, baffles me every time I see a report come in about a new fire started deliberately. Australia is actively prosecuting and convicting arsonists whenever it can, but its hard at times to get any proof.
And the conviction of the firestarter doesn't help the people affected. They still lose animals, homes, possessions, and sometimes their lives.