3 000 flee as South Island wildfires rage

STRONG winds yesterday were expected to fan forest fires that had been burning for a week through New Zealand’s South Island, forcing thousands of people from their homes, with more residents expected to flee, officials said.

The Pigeon Valley fire covers 2300 ha with a 25km perimeter, NZ Civil Defence said on its website.

No deaths have been reported and only one home has been destroyed.

“There is some concern about predicted high winds this )yesterday) afternoon, which are expected to test the control lines,” the agency said.

Early yesterday, 155 firefighters were battling the blaze on the ground with air support from 23 helicopters and three fixed-wing planes, the agency said, making it the largest aerial firefight on record in New Zealand.

Up to 3000 people were forced to leave the Wakefield and Pigeon Valley areas, NZ Civil Defence told a Saturday news conference. More people were likely to be forced from their homes yesterday.