Four-legged friend safe and well

Being reunited with a four-legged companion has come as some relief for a man forced out his home six days ago by the wildfire that has burnt through more than 2000 hectares near Nelson.

Pigeon Valley resident Aaron West couldn’t locate his aptly named billy goat, ‘‘Billy’’, when he was allowed back in on Friday to check the animals at his property, close to where the blaze broke out. West expressed his concern to an animal welfare officer at a packed community meeting in Hope on Saturday.

‘‘They had gone up that morning to check on all the animals ... and she showed me a photo which looked like him.’’

A trip down to the Richmond Showgrounds, where many evacuees have taken livestock, confirmed the good news.

Finding Billy there offered some cheer during anxious times for West, who still has about 20 sheep, four cattle and a few chickens on his property. ‘‘He’s a bit of a character.

‘‘I got given him because the person who had him, had him as a little kid for a pet, and he just got too big.

‘‘I’ve had him ever since, just as a companion.

‘‘[He’s] good round the dogs ... and a good lawn mower.’’

West was able to feed and water his livestock on Friday but was turned away from cordons in Wakefield early on Sunday afternoon because the wind had ‘‘turned’’. He hoped to check on his property again yesterday.

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) said it was confident all animals in the Redwood Valley were accounted for, and in a ‘‘good state’’.

‘‘With over 200 lifestyle blocks in the fire affected area of Tasman District, the animal welfare effort has been widely spread and the support has been very strong,’’ MPI response manager Charlotte Austin said.

‘‘Where possible, animals are being tended to in place, which is less stressful for them.

‘‘Crews are working behind the cordon ... taking food and water and in some cases bringing animals back to the Richmond Showgrounds.’’ SPCA’S Nelson centre had been assisting with animal rescue and emergency accommodation for livestock and companion animals since Thursday, SPCA chief executive Andrea Midgen said.

SPCA’S national rescue unit was deployed on Friday, she said.

The MPI was grateful for the donations of feed and supplies that continued to pour in, Austin said.

‘‘This is an incredibly worrying time for animal owners in the affected areas.

‘‘They are desperately concerned for their animals and livestock, and we are too.’’

KATY JONES/STUFF Aaron West was relieved animal welfare officers tracked down his goat Billy who is ‘‘part of the family’’. FIRE NEWS: Nelson Tasman Emergency Management yesterday said ground crews made good progress against the fire in favourable conditions on Sunday night. Wakefield residents were allowed to return to their properties from 5pm yesterday. Civil Defence said the fire was still burning and ‘‘unpredictable’’ and residents should remain ready to evacuate again.