Properties evacuated as fire rages
Several properties have been evacuated as fire crews prepare to stand down until morning as a large scrub fire burns in the Flagstaff area of Dunedin.
Emergency services were called to the blaze, near the Pineapple-Flagstaff walking track, shortly after 1pm yesterday.
Fire and Emergency NZ regional manager Mike Grant said ‘‘a bunch’’ of properties on Rudd Rd had been evacuated as a precaution. He could not confirm the exact number.
Civil Defence had set up an evacuation centre at the Flagstaff Community Church, on Centennial Ave in Helensburgh.
Eight helicopters, four rural fire vehicles and one fire engine were fighting the fire, which was about 12 hectares and in vegetation. Heavy machinery was clearing firebreaks.
The fire was helped by ‘‘receptive’’ weather conditions, Grant said. ‘‘It was warm and dry and windy with quite low humidity for this time of year.’’
The cause of the fire was not yet known.
A Fenz spokesman said helicopters would be stood down about 6.30pm last night, and ground crews would be stood down at 7pm. The area would be monitored overnight, with firefighters returning at first light today.
Grant said a decision on whether to allow evacuated residents back into their homes would be made based on weather conditions.
A police spokeswoman described the blaze as a ‘‘large scrub fire’’. She said police were assisting with traffic control and had closed Rudd Rd, Whare Flat Rd, Tanner Rd and the PineappleFlagstaff walking track..
The Redwood mountain bike track had also been evacuated, with cordons set up near the Redwoods car park and Wakari Rd.
A Three Mile Hill resident said it looked like ‘‘Dunedin is in smoke’’ from her home on the hill. ‘‘I just can’t see the city at all.’’
She said ‘‘quite a bit of the hill’’ was on fire but it looked like the helicopters were winning the battle as she could not see flames anymore.