Pigeon Valley Fire update 20 - 08:00 hours 09/02/2019
9 February 2019
Media advisory
The next media stand up will be at 8.30am today, Saturday 9 February at Appleby School. Moutere Highway, RD1 Richmond.
Community meetings
Two meetings will be held today, Saturday 9 February:
9am Appleby School
11am Hope Church, 114 Ranzau Road
Pigeon Valley fire
The fire continued to burn actively overnight. Over 100 personnel worked hard throughout the night to fight the fire and create a control line with fire breaks now right along the perimeter. There is still large amounts of unburnt vegetation within the control line.
Walters Bluff fire
Crews remained at Walters Bluff overnight after a fire broke out around 3pm above Iwa Road yesterday. The fire is still under control and Fire and Emergency crews are there today monitoring.
Managed escort
Residents in the rural areas east of Wakefield who are outside the evacuation zone will have managed access from 8am to 6pm today. The New Zealand Defence Fore will be running escorted convoys through the portion of SH6 that runs through Wakefield township. This will allow access through Wakefield for residents who would otherwise not be able to get past cordons on Eighty Eight Valley Rd, Totara Rd, Church Valley Rd and Bridge Valley Rd.
The Highway remains closed for all other traffic, which would continue to use the signposted detour through the Motueka Valley.
The escorted convoys will be running straight through the town with no stopping or diversions. They are not an opportunity for residents within the evacuation zone to check on property.
There will be checkpoints at the South end of Wakefield and in the vicinity of Spring Grove for those needing to join the convoy.
Wakefield Evacuations
Two evacuations have been completed for Wakefield residents along:
- Residents north of SH6 between Pigeon Valley Road and Simmonds Road.
- Residents in the area bordered by Barton Lane, Higgins Road and Baigent Valley Road.
Around 860 properties have been evacuated from this area.
As a precautionary measure, remaining residents in Wakefield should be ready to evacuate.
People are asked to please take water, food, medicines, pets and valuables and asked to register at Saxton Field Stadium, Stoke or ring 03 543 8400.
More information at www.nelsontasmancivildefence.co.nz
Further updates
Updates will be available on the Nelson Tasman Civil Defence website and facebook page, both Nelson City and Tasman District Council facebook pages and websites, and through Newstalk ZB 1341AM and BrianFm radio at 105.6 FM.
Ends.
Media Contact:
Nelson Tasman Civil Defence and Emergency Management
027 703 0409
Further updates will be provided as soon as it is available