Three helicopters and fresh crews have been mustering at first light, said FENZ Incident Controller Colin Russell, working to a plan to contain the fire and bring it under control.
Russell spoke to media at 7.30am on Thursday, along with Waimakariri District Mayor, Dan Gordon from the Woodend Fire Station.
He said the main focus has been evacuation, with all “successfully evacuated, all safely” and no reports of property damage.
Evacuees are in “good hearts’ and thankful to Fire and Emergency, said Mayor Gordon
The fire first sparked around 7.30pm on Wednesday night, roughly 50 firefighters and 12 fire trucks have been on the scene ever since, in an attempt to control the blaze.
Up to 130 people have been evacuated from their homes.
Northwesterly winds are mild this morning compared to last night’s strong gusts, but are expected to pick up throughout the day.
Smoke is billowing and has drifted over the small Woodend Beach community, where residents had a nervy, sleepless night.
“We are so lucky nobody has lost their home,” one told the Herald. They went to a friend’s place to shelter through the night.
”It was so close.”
Another said the beach community this morning was thick with smoke.”
“I hope it doesn’t pick up today… the skies are still glowing.”
Heavy machinery had been used on Wednesday night to create a firebreak on Pipeline Rd, which runs off Ferry Rd and the Pines Beach end.
“To the best of our knowledge we have not lost any homes or property but it’s hard to get a complete picture during the night. We will be making an aerial reconnaissance at first light and we will get a better idea of the extent of the fire then,” Russell said.
A second community meeting will be held for evacuees and residents in the vicinity of the fire at 10am in the Woodend Community Centre, which has also been set up as a welfare hub by Civil Defence.
Last night, the Waimakariri Civil Defence and police assisted FENZ to evacuate about 130 people to the Woodend Community Centre.
Racehorses were also evacuated from Woodend Beach.
New Zealand Response Teams team leader Jonathan Williams said there were about 40 people at the evacuation centre in Woodend.
Most of the people were from the holiday camp, but many people were also self-evacuating he said.
Digger contractor Gary Johnson told the Herald: “They wanted to push in a fire break but it’s moving too fast, so they’re going to get us to move heavier stuff ... and try to push in a fire break.
“It’s just opening up a big area so the fire doesn’t jump it. We are going to be here all night.”
Most of the people were from the holiday camp, but many people were also self-evacuating, he said.
”At the moment it’s just a waiting game to see what’s going to happen. Council and FENZ will ascertain if they will stay the night or find alternate accommodation. At least it’s a destination for people and to come and get reassurance.”
The fire is still actively burning and high winds are causing it to travel quickly south towards Woodend Beach.
Heavy machinery was being brought in an attempt to establish fire breaks between the fire and Woodend, a spokesperson said.
