Christchurch Port Hills, 2076ha fire area, 11 homes burnt to

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• State of emergency declared in Christchurch and Selwyn

• 11 homes and two sheds destroyed

• Four casualties: Pilot dead while fighting fires, two treated in hospital after inhaling smoke and one with an injured ankle

• 1000 people evacuated from 450 houses

• Some Christchurch citizens are offering homestays for those affected, food, clothing etc. ISP Spark offering free wi-fi for communication.

• 2075.9ha and growing.

• First fire began on Monday, along Early Valley Rd In Lansdowne, with a second blaze on Marley's Hill in a carpark off Summit Rd

• More than 130 firefighters on the ground, 40 crews with 45 pumps and tankers and 26 rural fire crews, 42 soldiers, six NZDF firefighters, 14 helicopters and three planes

• Evacuation centres: The Nga Hau e Wha Marae Pages Rd, Te Hapua Halswell Centre, Halswell Rd, Lincoln Events Centre

• Weather for the region tomorrow: Cloudy with occasional drizzle from the evening on Friday, a high of 21C. Average wind speeds of up to 28km/h. Saturday: occasional rain or drizzle, with northeasterly winds continuing

• Several roads closed/cordoned of

• 128 customers remain without power in the Port Hills

• Three schools closed: Cashmere Primary School, Cashmere Early Learning Centre and Kidsfirst Kindergarten in Cashmere are all closed to

• A health warning has been issued for anyone suffering respiratory issues to contact their GP

• The Government has accepted help from United States research vessel, Polar Star, currently in Lyttelton Harbour. Offers of help from Australia's firefighters have been turned down for now