Fire and Emergency New Zealand crews are battling a significant vegetation fire in Christchurch's Port Hills.

Early Valley, Worsley Spur, Worsleys Road and Princess Margaret Hospital have been evacuated, with multiple evacuation centres in place.

Summit Road is closed between Dyers Pass and Gebbies Pass Roads, and residents in that area need to be ready to evacuate at short notice.

Newstalk ZB's Emily Ansell is at the base of the Port Hills, and she says helicopters are on the scene trying to control the blaze.

"The fire looks like it's burning up that pine forest just up on the Port Hills, to the right of the park." 

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