Pigeon Valley Fire update 22 - 11:20 hours 09/02/2019
9 February 2019
Reminder: A state of emergency is still in place
Pigeon Valley fire
The fire continued to burn actively overnight, passing the trigger point for evacuation for the Wakefield area at around midnight last night.
Fire activity has increased this morning. Our most significant efforts are currently focused on a fire front near Wakefield which is moving slowly downslope.
Today there are:
- 23 helicopters
- 2 fixed wing planes
- 1 drone team
- 29 firefighting crews and around 150 firefighters
- 47 Incident Management staff
- 23 heavy machines (excavators and dozers)
…fighting the fire. Additional resources from around the country will also be arriving to assist and replace some crews who have been working for 5 days.
The relative humidity has increased this morning which will help firefighting efforts today. Today’s winds are also forecast to be lower than yesterday, gusting up to around 30km/h by 6pm today and are predicted to reach 50km/h tomorrow.
Walters Bluff fire
The fire at Walters Bluff is still under control and three crews and a bulldozer will be on site working to extinguish remaining fire.
Welfare
A reminder that it’s very normal to feel anxious during an emergency event such as a fire. Talking to people and helping others can be useful.
If you need further support for yourself or for others, call your General Practice or Healthline on 0800 611 116.
The smoke may also cause you to experience some symptoms such as irritated eyes, nose, throat and airways, due to the smoke. These should go away once you remove yourself from the smoke.
If your symptoms worsen and do not respond to their usual measures, call your General Practice or Healthline 0800 611 116. If you experience breathlessness or chest pain, call 111.
Any evacuees who are needing assistance with accommodation, please contact the Civil Defence Centre at Saxton Field Stadium, Stoke or ring 03 543 8400.
Managed escort
The New Zealand Defence Force are continuing to run escorted convoys through the portion of SH6 that runs through Wakefield township from 8am to 6pm today. 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.
We ask that the community please be patient as we manage this.
Wakefield Evacuations
Reminder: All those who have evacuated are asked to register at Saxton Field Stadium, Stoke or ring 03 543 8400.
As a precautionary measure, remaining residents in Wakefield should be ready to evacuate.
More information is available 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