Balmoral Fire Update #1

7 September 2024

Fire and Emergency New Zealand crews are battling a large vegetation fire near Tokarahi, Waitaki this morning.

Incident Controller Bobby Lamont says crews were alerted to the out of control burn off around midday yesterday. 

"Strong winds fanned the fire overnight and it has now burnt through approximately 400 hectares of farmland, tussock and scrub," he says.

"The fire is not yet contained  nor controlled and we have six helicopters, one fixed wing aircraft and seven crews responding.

"Much of the fire-ground is not easily accessible for our vehicles and we have having to airlift our firefighters in.

"Winds are forecast to gust up to 100 kilometres per hour here today. We anticipate we’ll be at this fire for some days," he says.

A Command Unit has been set up near the fire-ground.

"It's very dry in the Waitaki valley and Central Otago and we ask anyone considering lighting an outdoor fire to check the weather and wind forecast before they proceed," Bobby Lamont says.

Go to www.checkitsalright.nz for further Information and fire safety advice.