‘Challenging’ fire under control
MOST families evacuated as a large scrub fire tore across Flagstaff, above central Dunedin, were allowed to return home last night after the fire was brought under control.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand regional controller Laurence Voight confirmed the fire was ‘‘under control’’ shortly before 7pm and helicopters had been stood down for the night.
Ground crews were to monitor the scene overnight in case of flareups, but he praised the efforts of fire crews — together with the timely arrival of some late afternoon rain — for helping tackle the blaze in ‘‘very challenging conditions’’.
Emergency services had evacuated residents from seven properties in Rudd Rd as a precaution, as the fire spread, but Mr Voight said the residents of six of the seven homes were able to return home last night.
An evacuation centre opened yesterday afternoon at the Flagstaff Community Church has also closed. About six families gathered there briefly from late afternoon.
The blaze, which began shortly after 1pm yesterday, spread along the Pineapple Track on Flagstaff.
And, as firefighters aided by eight helicopters fought the flames, police moved Rudd Rd residents as a precaution ahead of northwest winds predicted to gust to 100kmh overnight.
At its height, parts of Dunedin were wreathed in smoke as the fire quickly took over the ridgeline, consuming at least 12ha of scrub and gorse, and high flames were visible from the central city through the afternoon.
Fenz region manager Mike Grant said the hot, dry and windy conditions had helped the fire spread quickly.
A weather shift later in the day brought higher humidity and drizzle, and the fire appeared to be all but out by late afternoon.
A Fenz spokeswoman said last night there was not yet any indication of the fire’s cause. An investigator was expected at the scene today.
The area is a popular recreational spot with walking and cycling tracks, which had been flown over soon after the fire started to ensure noone was on them.
The landscape is covered by grass, scrub and tussock with forestry blocks nearby.
Fenz East Otago assistant area commander Craig Geddes said the fire was first seen by walkers, and initially covered about half a football field, but soon spread.
A bulldozer and digger had been used to forge access to the area, which was in difficulttoreach terrain, allowing ground crews to reach the area as helicopters dropped water, he said.
The fire had been tracking towards an area of pine trees, blue gum and gorse, prompting the precautionary evacuation of residents, he said.
The Otago Daily Times saw a steady stream of residents leaving the area about 4.30pm, including some leading horses down Rudd Rd.
Among them was Tracey Owens, owner of a 2.5ha property in Wakari Rd, near Rudd Rd, who said she was on standby to evacuate five ‘‘very precious’’ horses from the property.
She had been sitting on her deck when she noticed the blaze yesterday afternoon.
‘‘[I] happened to glance at Flagstaff and there it was in all its glory . . . It was panic stations then.’’
The owner of Weimar Boarding Kennels, near the top of Rudd Rd, also evacuated just before 4pm.
Dogs staying in the kennels had been moved to a neighbouring property and she was about to leave.
About six families from the evacuated area had gathered at Flagstaff Community Church by late afternoon, waiting to see if they could return to their homes later.
Among them were Jan Leunissen and wife Marloes, owners of a lifestyle block off Rudd Rd, who had been alerted to the fire by a text message from a friend.
The fire was about 1km from their property, and although they could not see the flames, thick smoke had slowly darkened the sky.
‘‘We just walked outside and we saw the smoke . . . Within, I would say, 15 minutes it was very scary.
‘‘It was really like a thick column of smoke. It covered the whole area and made it really dark.
‘‘What can you do? You grab what is really necessary — your passport, your marriage certificate, your essentials you really need — and you make sure it’s in the car so you can leave.’’