Fenz crews attend 32 callouts in a day
FIRE and Emergency New Zealand crews were under the pump in Otago and Southland yesterday, attending more than 30 callouts in 22 hours.
Among them were major fires at Jacks Point (Queenstown), Lake Hawea, Omarama, Ikawai and Maheno.
Fire crews also continued to battle a vegetation fire at Tiwai Point in Southland which began on Monday night, while fire investigators spent much of yesterday investigating a house fire which killed two people in Dunedin on Monday.
Of the incidents attended yesterday, eight were medical calls, four were structure fires, 10 were vegetation fires and 10 were false alarms.
Fenz spokesman Riwai Grace said it had been a very busy day for the fire service in the southern region.
‘‘They’ve been really busy in the patch, unfortunately.’’
Fenz community and engagement coordinator Sally Chesterfield said there had been a conscious effort to make sure fire crews working on the Tiwai Point blaze were well rested and looked after.
‘‘The last few days have certainly kept us on edge.
‘‘We’ve also had a few other fires start up [yesterday] because things are very dry and we’ve got to be careful we don’t overstretch our crews.
‘‘If we don’t have firefighters, we’re not a fire service.’’
The spell of sweltering weather in the South continues, as does the Fenzimposed total fire ban in Otago and Southland.
Fenz fire officers say conditions are staggeringly dry, and are urging people to be extra vigilant, especially those using equipment which could create sparks.
The total fire ban means people are not allowed to light outdoor fires of any kind, or use charcoal barbecues, braziers or incinerators.
A large wildfire continues to burn at Tiwai Point, near Bluff, but Fire and Emergency New Zealand says it is now under control.
Fenz community and engagement coordinator Sally Chesterfield said at one point, the 100ha scrub fire threatened the electricity supply to the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter.
Although the fire was under control, there were areas still burning, she said.
Four crews and four helicopters will continue to fight the blaze today.