Dozens f lee huge wildfire

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 a large forest fire near tinderdry Nelson rages on. landing in central Nelson. ‘‘The fire that began midafternoon is currently covering 120 hectares and is growing in a northeasterly direction in dry hot conditions and strong winds,’’ a Facebook post from fire crews read. ‘‘Residents of Eves Valley residents and the Eves Valley Saw Mill have been advised to evacuate.

‘‘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’’ and that roads in the area have been closed including, Pigeon Valley Rd from Pigeon Valley South Branch Rd, and Dovedale Rd from Brandy Creek Rd.

‘‘The fire guys have advised people living in these areas that they need to be aware the fire is moving and they need to be ready to go.’’

Fire service communications spokesman Chris Munro said units from nearby Appleby, Brightwater, Tasman and Nelson were battling the blaze, which began at about 2pm yesterday afternoon.

Two helicopters dropped water on the forestry block, while at least 10 water tankers were seen heading to the area to support the fire crews.

The wind was moving in a south-west direction at 33 kilometres per hour when the fire started at 2pm, and by 4pm it was 24kmh.

The Tasman district has experienced a long dry spell, with serious water restrictions and the fire risk is extreme.

PIP COLLINS A cloud of smoke billows from a raging forest fire southwest of Nelson yesterday evening. Firefighters were still battling the blaze late last night.

MARTIN DE RUYTER/STUFF Smoke covers the hillside as a fire on a forestry block near Wakefield, Tasman burns.