Christchurch Port Hills blaze in photos

The scale of the Christchurch Port Hills fire is so immense the smoke from it can be seen from space.

The firefighting effort has already claimed one life - that of former SAS soldier Steve Askin - and has destroyed homes and forced the evacuation of around 1000 residents.

The countless photos taken of the 1800 hectare fire only go some way to showing how ferociously and quickly the fire has spread as it rages on into its fourth day. 

Here are some of the best photos which capture the destruction and the vast efforts emergency services have gone to stop it.

  • If you have any photos of the fire you'd like to share, email digital@newshub.co.nz
The view from Rock Hill Dr (Shirleen Oakley / Supplied)
The view from Rock Hill Dr (Shirleen Oakley / Supplied)
christchurch port hills fire jerry westaway
(Jerry Westaway / Supplied)
The flames are continuing to get perilously close to homes on Thursday morning (Newshub.)
The flames are continuing to get perilously close to homes on Thursday morning (Newshub.)
Residents look on as smoke and fire cover the city (Getty)
Residents look on as smoke and fire cover the city (Getty)
The smoke blanketed parts of the city (Getty)
The smoke blanketed parts of the city (Getty)
The fire around Worsleys Rd on February 15 (getty)
The fire around Worsleys Rd on February 15 (Getty)
The fire lights up the night sky near Worleys Rd (Getty)
The fire lights up the night sky near Worleys Rd (Getty)
A helicopter carries a monsoon bucket to fight the fire near Worsleys Rd (Getty)
A helicopter carries a monsoon bucket to fight the fire near Worsleys Rd (Getty)
Flames just after sunset (Mark Hannah)
Flames just after sunset (Mark Hannah)
Two fires merged into one (Supplied)
Two fires merged into one (Supplied)
The fire destroyed part of the new Adventure Park
The fire destroyed part of the new Adventure Park
A satellite view of the fire from Wednesday
A satellite view of the fire from Wednesday
The smoke rose over Christchurch prompting health warnings (Greg Downie / Supplied)
The smoke rose over Christchurch prompting health warnings (Greg Downie / Supplied)

Newshub.