Fire & Emergency New Zealand

Pigeon Valley Fire update 41 - 09:00 hours 12/02/2019

Pigeon Valley Fire update 41 - 09:00 hours 12/02/2019

 

Normal postal services will resume today in the Wakefield residential areas.

Residents in the rural delivery areas of Wakefield and Brightwater who still can’t receive mail at home can pick up mail between 7am and 9am at the Brightwater delivery branch Monday – Saturday inclusive.  If you need to urgently collect mail outside these times, please ring the Nelson Post Operations Centre on 03 546 0121.

 

Road closures

A number of roads remain closed. They include:

  • Golf Road
  • Pigeon Valley Road
  • Pigeon Valley South Branch Road
  • Sharp Road
  • Barton Lane
  • Teapot Valley Road
  • Bell Road
  • Golden Hills Road
  • Redwood Valley Road
  • Redwood Park Road
  • Red Stag Lane
  • Moutere Highway
  • Eves Valley Road

We’ll provide updates here and on the Nelson Tasman Civil Defence Emergency Management Facebook page and you can tune into Newstalk ZB 1341AM and BrianFm radio at 105.6 FM.

 

Event postponement or cancellation

We realise that many people will be affected by the cancellation of the Brightwater Wine and Food Festival this Sunday 17 February and by the cancellation of other events. We’d like to say thanks to those event organisers who realise that we are still in a state of emergency and are doing their bit to reduce the risk to us all.

 

Animal welfare

The Ministry for Primary Industries has been working with the SPCA National Rescue Unit, Massey University, HUHANZ on a coordinated animal welfare response to the fires.
 
There are currently around 700 animals at the Richmond Showgrounds in the care of MPI, SPCA, HUHANZ and other fantastic volunteers.
 
Animal welfare officers were posted at the cordons at each of the four valleys that were evacuated as residents were allowed into their properties to check on their animals.

Where needed, officers and vets have visited properties to assess concerns for those residents and arrange resources i.e. water and extra feed. Officers have also been working with property owners who have contacted MPI to ask for help.

If you need more information about animal welfare, or have concerns about animals affected by the fire:

  • MPI is providing regular updates about the animal welfare response to the Tasman Fires on its website, www.mpi.govt.nz/tasman-fires. You can subscribe to receive updates straight to your inbox, here.
  • Federated Farmers has opened its Feedline to support farmers who have been affected by the fires and need extra feed or grazing for their animals. Farmers who are short of feed, or who have feed to donate, can contact Federated Farmers on 0800 327 646.
  • The Rural Support Trust (RST) is also available to support farmers, growers and others in the rural sector. They provide free and confidential support, advice and referrals, including with health, finances and more. RST can be contacted on 0800 787 254.

 

Public health

The Nelson Marlborough Public Health Service regularly updates its advice on health issues related to smoke, potential water contamination, mental health and wellbeing and other topics related to the fire.

This information, along with information about where to get healthcare and how to help children at this time, is on the NMH public website homepage here.

 

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.