Welfare support provided - Moutere Highway Fire
In support of the Fire and Emergency New Zealand who responded to a fire around the Moutere Highway area, the Nelson Tasman CDEM Group were on hand to provide welfare support to evacuees.
During yesterday’s incident and precautionary measures to ensure public safety, New Zealand Police were able to evacuate 97 homes within the vicinity of the fire. The civil defence centre was opened from 3pm to take in evacuees for registration. There were 25 families who visited the civil defence centre at New Life Church, Richmond and 72 registrations in total. The centre closed at 9pm following the announcement that all residents were able to return home. Apart from a dog and a horse evacuating by their owners to the A&P showgrounds, there were no further animal welfare needs reported.
The fire in Moutere Highway is a stark reminder that we need to remain vigilant and mindful of the extreme fire risk - that is why we have the ban in place. We were very lucky that there was plenty of resources in the region to quickly respond to this incident. We already know the implications that a fire can have on our communities and we want you be careful at all times.
Update: Fire and Emergency NZ
Fire and Emergency crews have contained the fire near Moutere Hill in Tasman district overnight to the existing blackout perimeter. The four crews working had a busy time in windy conditions but have been successfully extinguishing hotspots. This work will continue during the day and helicopters will be on standby.
Incident Controller Rory Renwick says the fire is now 80-90% blacked out, but there are some
areas where the fire is burning deeply in the second-generation pine forest. “We’re confident we’ll be able to get this fire fully under control today,” Mr Renwick said.
It’s important the public stays away from the area while the firefighting activity continues. Cordons remain in place on Moutere Highway at the intersections with Maisey Rd and Old Coach Rd, he said.
“Yesterday’s events show that there is an extreme fire danger in Tasman-Nelson and people need to be extremely vigilant about any activity which might spark off another fire.”
Yesterday’s fire was reported very quickly by vigilant members of the public and Mr Renwick
encourages anyone to call 111 if they see smoke or have any concerns.
The Tasman-Marlborough Fire Area Facebook page has regular updates.
Fire and Emergency NZ media phone: 027 591 8837
Email: media@fireandemergency.nz
Update: NZ Police
While the cause of the Moutere Hill fire is yet to be determined, Nelson Police are looking to speak to a person seen running down Eban Road in Redwood Valley around 2pm yesterday. The runner is described as having a dog with them.
It is understood there were members of the public on Eban Road looking at the fire, and ask for anyone who may have seen this person, or who filmed or took photos of the fire to please contact Nelson Police on 0800 08 02 19.