Fifty fire fighters and six helicopters are continuing to battle a major scrub and grass fire in the Picton area today.
The fire started yesterday in the Oyster Bay area north east of Picton when high winds knocked over power poles. Sparks from poles set fire to a pine forest.
Several homes
have been evacuated and others threatened overnight as Fire Service and Rural Fire staff battled the blaze which was fanned by gale force winds.
High winds have continued today and initially prevented the helicopters from getting off the ground to help fight the fire.
Chris Munro of the Fire Service said the fire was still raging in some areas this morning, fanned by strong winds and presenting a low threat to houses in the area.
The drama began about 7.10 pm yesterday when the Fire Service received multiple 111 calls alerting them to the large scrub and grass fire.
Mr Munro said engines from Picton, Blenheim, Rarangi and Linkwater were called out.
Rural fire fighters moved in and the service set up lines to supply their tankers and to protect houses.
Inspector Stuart Leighton of the Police Southern Communication Centre said last night that police had assisted the fire fighters with evacuations as the fire threatened a number of houses.
The fire fighters job was made more difficult because of power lines being brought down in the area.
Power has been turned off today on the line from Oyster Bay to Robin Hood Bay.
- CHRISTCHURCH STAR
