Emergency services have contained a scrub fire on Christchurch's Port Hills this afternoon.
Fire and Emergency told RNZ the fire had been caused by sparks from a construction site.
Earlier today 16 homes in Clifton were evacuated as a precautionary measure but everyone was now back in their homes by early evening.
Christchurch homes evacuated in latest Port Hills fire
Smoke has been visible across parts of the city and Fire and Emergency's assistant area manager for Christchurch Metro, Mike Bowden, told RNZ's Checkpoint that about 30 fire crew would remain on site overnight looking for hotspots.
He said although not much active firefighting was done overnight, hose protection lines were in place in case there are any small flare-ups.
From 5am tomorrow a drone team would be operating in the area and used to look for hotspots, Bowden said, with information from the drones available to the daytime crews from 8am.
Earlier, eight crews were at the scene, assisted by four helicopters as well as water tankers and a Command Unit, after emergency services received calls from the public around 11.30am about a fire at Galilee Lane.
A Fire and Emergency spokesperson said people were being told to stay away from the area.
Bowden said the fire covered was estimated to have covered about 18 hectares of mostly grass and scrub, although it also burnt a small amount of native bush.
He said fire crews were able to protect all the nearby properties.
Police said Main Road in Sumner - between Cave Terrace and Wakatu Avenue - was being closed to allow a helicopter carrying water to travel in and out of the Barnett Park area.
Cordons were in place and people were asked not to travel into the area, they said.
Smoke can be seen coming from near the suburb of Clifton. Photo: Supplied
A large scrub fire on the Port Hills in Christchurch on Friday forced the evacuation of about 40 properties when it broke out above Hillsborough late at night. It burned through about 25 to 30 hectares of land.
Smoke can be seen coming from the fire. Photo: RNZ/Sally Murphy
Health warning for smoke from fire
The Canterbury District Health Board has issued a public health warning for smoke from the Port Hills fire.
Canterbury Medical Officer of Health Dr Cheryl Brunton said air around this location is smoky and there is potential that people who are sensitive to smoke - such as those with heart or lung conditions, pregnant women, young children and the elderly - may experience symptoms like coughing, shortness of breath or eye, nose and throat irritation.
Exposure to smoke can worsen pre-existing health conditions such as asthma and heart disease, she said.
Photo: RNZ / Nathan McKinnon
People affected by the smoke should close windows and doors, and reduce outdoor exercise, she said.
Dr Brunton said anyone experiencing health issues from the Port Hills fire should phone their usual general practice team in the first instance.
Yesterday it was announced that Canterbury would move to a restricted fire season from midnight Wednesday.