Fire crews are responding to a blaze in Christchurch's Port Hills.

Fire and Emergency (FENZ) Canterbury says a vegetation fire was reported in the area of Worsleys Road, near Cracroft, about 2.15pm.

Ten helicopters and 23 trucks and tankers are fighting the fire and the public is urged to stay away and not fly drones, FENZ says.

The blaze, as seen from Westmorland (Image: Supplied/Hamish Allan-Caney).

Evacuations are underway and an evacuation centre has been set up.

Christchurch City Council says its Civil Defence and Emergency Management team are on standby.

Te Whatu Ora has issued a public health warning for smoke from the fire.

Power outages are being reported across the city and Transpower says the fire, burning under its power lines, caused circuits to trip at the Bromley substation.

Have you got photos or video of the fire? Email [email protected].

Main image (Supplied/Julia Sugarman Haliday): Port Hills fire as seen from Lyttleton on February 14, 2024.