As fire operations on Christchurch鈥檚 Port Hills continue into day six, Fire and Emergency (Fenz) say the blaze is contained but is not out.

Fire and Emergency incident controller Steve Kennedy said crews currently are focusing on around 40 hotspots that are considered at risk.

鈥淐onditions have changed around Port Hills since there is some cool weather today, [Fenz] managed to fly helicopters around and the drones have identified new 17 hotspots overnight,鈥� he said.

鈥淔ortunately with it being a bit cooler, it鈥檚 probably a bit easier on our crews up there, so it鈥檚 not so hot.鈥�

鈥淲e are aware of the fatigue factor with our crews and making sure that they鈥檙e getting plenty of rest and hydration up there as well,鈥� Kennedy said.

Fire and Emergency Incident Commander Steve Kennedy speaks to the media. Photo / Joe Allison

Kennedy confirmed there are still around 120 people working on the incident ground.

鈥淭he vast majority of them are firefighters on the ground, which would be 100 plus, we鈥檝e still got four aircraft available for us down here as well.鈥�

The fire operations around the Port Hills are expected to run until at least Thursday.

鈥淲e are hoping as time goes on and once we get past the weather conditions today, we may be able to start reducing crews,鈥� he said.

• Private drone flown near Port Hills fire grounds helicopters for up to an hour
• Drones identify hotspots in Port Hills fires ahead of forecast winds
• Residents evacuated due to Port Hills fire return as battle against blaze continues

Operations manager Rob Hands surveys the damage done during the Christchurch's Port Hills fire as firefighters continue their efforts to dampen down remaining hot spots. Photo / Chris Skelton

It comes as today is flagged as a high fire danger day across Canterbury because of the windy and hot conditions.

MetService meteorologist Gerrard Bellam last night said Canterbury High Country would be under a wind warning until 3pm this afternoon.

鈥淭he severe northwest gale in these areas could gust up to 130km/h in exposed places, but it will be a short and sharp spell of wind.鈥�

The east of the South Island can expect high 20C-plus temperatures, but temperatures are likely to then drop significantly in the afternoon, Bellam said.

Kennedy said that means any new fires will move very quickly and be hard to bring under control.

鈥淲e have the resources to respond to multiple incidents, but we鈥檙e asking everyone to do their part to prevent any more fires starting,鈥� he earlier said.

Christchurch City Council controller Brent Smith said: 鈥漌e鈥檙e still under a state of emergency and we will do so until we get to the point where it doesn鈥檛 require the multi-agency effort.鈥�

鈥淲e want to thank the public for the patience and the respect they鈥檝e given the firefighters here, it鈥檚 made it a lot easier to get their job done and it is having a look at the fire ground,鈥� Smith said.

Meanwhile, 50 firefighters are working to get on top of a scrub fire in North Canterbury.

Emergency services were called just after 8pm on Sunday to the large 鈥渇ast-moving鈥� blaze that was burning through gorse and scrub near Waikari Valley Rd in the Hurunui District.

Homes were evacuated as firefighters battled the large vegetation fire near Waipara. Photo / George Heard

Five helicopters responded to the fire but three with monsoon buckets were grounded due to the wind, while the other two with specialised equipment are continuing to operate.

鈥淭he fire is currently uncontrolled and has largely burned out, but remains a risk due to high winds,鈥� a Fenz spokesperson earlier said.

There have been no reported livestock losses, or any structures lost or damaged.