Mid-South crews join fire fight

Fire and emergency crews from MidSouth Canterbury are joining the torrid fire fight in Nelson and Tasman District.

The fires, which began last Tuesday, have been ongoing, with crews from all over the country assisting with operations.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Fenz) Mid-South Canterbury area commander Steven Greenyer said two staff from Timaru Fire Brigade, three from Ashburton Volunteer Fire Brigade, four from Alford Forest Rural fire force, two from Peel Forest Rural Fire Force left for Nelson on Sunday, while Mid-South Canterbury deputy principal rural fire officer Don Geddes and an Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) officer were already there.

Greenyer said part of the team’s role would be dampening down hotspots. They will work four days on the fire line and return Friday when it is expected additional crews will be required.

‘‘There will also be ‘smoke chasers’ in a utility vehicle with a small pump and water tank which is used to access parts of the fire which large vehicles can’t get into.’’

Greenyer said the fire had been intense, and safety was an absolute paramount for the crews involved.

‘‘The mop-up stage is going to take a long time, it’s likely we’re going to be asked to called for on more assistance later in the week,’’ he said.

‘‘It’s satisfying to be able to assist what’s going on in Nelson and what is becoming a nationwide effort.’’

South Canterbury’s Gary Harford heads to Nelson in his smoke chaser vehicle.