Fire crews edge closer to containing Lee Valley fire
Firefighting efforts continue in Lee Valley near Nelson, as helicopter and ground crews work to complete a 1.2 kilometre containment line around the fire’s perimeter.
The atmosphere at the cordon near Lee Valley Bridge was relaxed yesterday morning, as Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) staff, working out of a mobile community hub, greeted residents.
From 9am, some residents were allowed to return to their homes under escort, to check on their animals. It was hoped they would be allowed to return for good either last night or today.
“They’re busting their gut [to get home], as you can imagine,” said Darren Crawford, a FENZ senior advisor for community readiness and recovery.
By 11am just a handful of residents had been escorted up the valley.
Two helicopters were dousing the blaze from the air, with about 30 crew working on the ground. The ground crew are specialists, trained in working in forestry, Crawford said.
While the crews were edging closer to containing the fire, hot and dry conditions meant caution was still required, and not just in the valley, he said. “It’s so hot and dry, we want people to be aware even the simplest activity like mowing the lawn can spark a fire.”
He asked people to mow lawns first thing in the morning or in the evening, and advised people to refrain from lighting braziers or coal barbecues.
“We really need the co-operation of the community.”
An update from FENZ, posted to their Facebook page, called time on donations of baked goods.
“We have also been inundated with baking from our community to our local stations. While we very much appreciate the huge wave of support, we've actually got too much food now that our crews won't be able to get through! So please no more baking,” the message said.
The Lee Valley Bridge cordon is open from 9am to 4pm for evacuated residents to receive information and, if necessary, to be escorted to their properties.
The fire began on Wednesday, and residents from 11 homes were evacuated that night. Since then, firefighters from up to nine brigades and as many as seven helicopters and specialist forest fire crews have worked around the clock to get the fire under control.
On Thursday, district commander Grant Hayward said initially three fires had started but volunteers had been able to douse two, but the third has burned into what was covering nine hectares.