Moutere Highway Fire Update 1 - 14:47 hours 27/02/19
27 February 2019
Fire at Upper Moutere
Fire and Emergency NZ can confirm a new fire has started in the Redwood Valley area on the Moutere highway near the Old Coach Road.
The new fire is located north-east of the existing Pigeon Valley fire ground.
The first call to emergency services was received at 1.18pm. Sixteen appliances and support vehicles (pumps and tankers) are on site, along with three helicopters and two bulldozers.
The fire is currently 3-4 hectares, spreading rapidly, and there are large areas of smoke spread.
Police are evacuating areas of Moutere Highway. If you feel unsafe or threatened, it is sensible to self-evacuate as a precaution.
We are maintaining cover for local stations in the event they need to respond to any other events.
Fire and Emergency NZ has received a lot of calls from the public about the fire and we thank the public for their vigilance.
Nearby residents should go to the Tasman-Marlborough Fire Area Facebook page for updates.