At least 13 Fire and Emergency crews responded to a grass fire in Otago today.
At least 13 Fire and Emergency crews responded to a grass fire in Otago today.
People remain evacuated after a large grass fire in Central Otago.
A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesperson said firefighters were alerted to a fast-moving blaze threatening homes in Springvale, just outside Clyde, about 3.25pm.
Twenty-one fire trucks and support vehicles were sent, along with four helicopters.
The blaze hadgrown to 400m by 400m at 4pm. By the latest update, issued around 8.20pm, about 20 hectares had burned.
Crews had been working with police on evacuations as the fast-moving fire threatened homes.
“One shed has been destroyed and flames have scorched the exterior of one house,” Fire and Emergency incident controller Nic McQuillan said in the update.
“Residents of most of the properties evacuated this afternoon have been allowed to return home. A small number of properties to the west of McArthur Rd are not yet able to go home.”
Evacuations are underway following a grass fire in Otago today.
Springvale Rd has been closed because the fire has jumped across it.
Smoke from the fire had been drifting towards Alexandria, according to Fire and Emergency, and people in the vicinity were advised to stay indoors with windows closed.
Members of the public were also advised not to carry out any hot works such as welding, grinding and lawn mowing because a large number of firefighting resources have been put into containing the grass fire.
“Fire and Emergency also asks the public to please stay away from the area so firefighters can do their job to contain the fire.”
As of 8pm the fire was contained and largely suppressed. Helicopters had been stood down and some of the fire crews were being released.
“Multiple crews will be working until dark, with one crew staying on the fireground overnight, patrolling in case of flare-ups. Additional crews will return tomorrow to extinguish some deep-seated areas of fire,” McQuillan said.
“A specialist tree assessor is at work identifying and felling several dangerous trees which have been damaged by the fire. That work will ensure the safety of firefighters and residents.”
When a vegetation fire was on the same road two weeks ago, residents were told at the time to prepare for an evacuation.
However, it was nearly out when crews arrived, despite having spread into nearby pine trees.
