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Fire crews battling��Christchurch’s Port Hills fire��will be thankful for rain, seven days into their firefighting operations.��

About 20mm of rain fell on the Port Hills fireground this morning.��

Fire and Emergency incident controller Steve Kennedy said: “Overnight crews made great progress eliminating many of the hotspots and also the deep-seated burning at one of the largest skid sites.”��

Lee Reihana and other firefighters continue their efforts to dampen down remaining hotspots and create a buffer zone. Photo / Chris Skelton��

He confirmed the specialist drone crew continued thermal imaging overnight and identified further areas that crews will focus on today.Kennedy said the rain was welcome and would help fire suppression, but also meant conditions would become slippery.��

“Access tracks on the steep terrain will be checked before crews start working on some parts of the fireground.”��

Firefighters will again be working with the support of heavy machinery, and two helicopters are available.��

The damage in the Port Hills. Photo / George Heard��

It comes as Fenz confirmed the blaze is contained but is not out.��

Kennedy earlier said crews were focusing on about 40 hotspots considered at risk.��

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

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