Battling the blaze
Tasman fires
And on the seventh day, they waited.
Today is day seven of the devastating forest fires south of Nelson, and for the 3000 or so people forced to leave their homes because of the danger posed by the 2300ha fire, it’s yet another day of challenges.
Another day of displacement as they seek shelter away from their homes and community, another day of uncertainty as those fighting the fires battle to protect homes, another day of waiting to find out when they might again sleep in their own beds.
Yesterday, feared forecast winds of up to 50km/h failed to eventuate, and Fire and Emergency incident controller John Sutton said that meant a productive firefighting day that included a successful controlled burn-off operation in Redwood Valley, designed to deny the fire fuel.
He hoped by the end of today they might be able to strategically look at other parts of the fire, Sutton said yesterday. “I’m feeling pretty good.”
Residents in Eves, Sunrise, Teapot and Pigeon valleys were also allowed on escorted visits to their properties.
But the emergency, which involved up to 150 firefighters on the ground and 23 helicopters in the air, was far from over.
Nelson Tasman Civil Defence controller Roger Ball said at a 4pm media briefing that, although there were no major developments, the risk remained high.
The blaze was about 2km from Wakefield late yesterday afternoon.
That ongoing danger meant the residents from 860 evacuated homes in the settlement, most of whom have been out of their homes since at least Friday, weren’t yet allowed to return.
Defence Force daytime convoys along State Highway 6 through the town were continuing. “We do understand it’s frustrating,” Ball said.
Community meetings are planned today at 5.30pm at Appleby School and 7.30pm at Hope Community Church in Ranzau Rd.
In an Aniseed Valley paddock, Terry Coleman is among Wakefield residents forced to find shelter elsewhere. He’s lucky — the 61-year-old and his partner, Lynn Wilson, own a self-contained caravan.
But the couple’s home isn’t far from the fire, and they’re worried.
“Hopefully the landowner will let us stay here as long as it takes till we can get back home. If we’ve got a home to go to.”
Coleman has his dogs and cat with him, but left two chooks and a rooster at a makeshift animal nursery being run by the Ministry of Primary Industries, the SPCA and animal charity Huha at Richmond Showgrounds.
A firefighter’s dog is among the 700 or so animals, including quail, dogs, chickens, cats and pigs, at the nursery.
Beyond the cordons, the MPI was yesterday able to reach Pigeon Valley for the first time in several days.
“Fortunately the fire hadn’t reached any grazing areas or animals,” it said in a statement.
Authorities also said donations to help those affected by the fires can be made to the Mayoral Relief Fund, through the Tasman District Council website www.tasman.govt.nz
The community was already stepping up — at the Nelson Suburbs Football Club so many groceries have been donated, volunteer organiser Janine Thompson can’t give a figure.
And the support isn’t just about filling hungry tums, she said.
“People come in in tears. Some need a hug, a cup of tea and to sit down before they can do anything.
“A lot are so distraught they don’t know what they need. We’ll walk around with them.”