Residents evacuated after fire
Dozens of people were told to evacuate their homes as a massive wildfire took hold southwest of Nelson yesterday.
Firefighters and helicopter crews worked through much of the afternoon and night tackling the massive blaze, about 30km southwest of the city. As of 8.30pm, a Fire and Emergency NZ spokesperson said the fire was moving north.
‘‘We have 60-plus firefighters on the ground, five helicopters, and we’re trying to get more in. There’s also multiple water tankers’’
People in Pigeon Valley, near Wakefield, were told to evacuate in the afternoon as flames and massive plumes of smoke could be seen throughout the region, which has been tinder-dry in recent weeks.
A Civil Defence centre has been set up and residents are opening their homes to evacuees as the fire raged on.
Ash was seen landing in central Nelson.
‘‘Residents of Eves Valley and the Eves Valley Saw Mill have been advised to evacuate,’’ a Facebook post from fire crews read.
‘‘Teapot Valley residents are advised to get themselves ready for evacuation if the need arises as there will not be much time.’’
Tasman District Council spokesman Chris Choat said the fire was moving ‘‘reasonably quickly’’. Roads in the area were closed, including Pigeon Valley Rd from Pigeon Valley South Branch Rd, and Dovedale Rd from Brandy Creek Rd.
The Tasman district has experienced a long dry spell, with serious water restrictions. The fire risk is extreme.