Marlborough forest fire continues to burn out of control

The fire has moved from the Wairau Valley towards the adjacent Waihopai Valley. Photo / Peter Burge

Around 1200ha of pine forest and grassland have been destroyed in a forest fire that continues to burn out of control in Marlborough this morning.

Although almost 4ml of rain fell overnight and conditions remained relatively calm this morning, the fire, which had been burning since Thursday morning, was still out of control.

The fire, the biggest in the area since the Boxing Day blazes of 2000, has moved from the Wairau Valley towards the adjacent Waihopai Valley.

Marlborough principal rural fire officer Richard McNamara said the aerial attack on the fire had resumed at daybreak this morning.

"We've got an opening and we'll be pushing hard because no matter what we throw at a fire from the air, we still have to do the hard yards, turning over the logs, digging up the ground. Now we've a chance to go after it."

However, he said the current window of opportunity to get at the fire from the ground may be short-lived as the wind was forecast to pick up in the afternoon.

This could make the situation too dangerous for crew who'd need to be pulled back.

McNamara said contingency plans were in place to evacuate residents from a section of the Waihopai Valley if the winds took the fire down into the valley later today.

A meeting for residents has been set down for 11.30 this morning to ensure all were aware of the emergency arrangements.

In the "worst-case" scenario the fire service expected about a dozen properties could be affected.

But McNamara said these would all be given ample notice as necessary.

"We know a lot about fire behaviour and we also know the conditions we're dealing with and we will take a cautious approach as it's far better to pull people out than put them at risk."

Key Messages

• Parson's Road at the intersection with SH 63 is closed to the public. Speed restrictions (30km/hr) are in place and motorists are asked to exercise caution and patience as water tankers are crossing the state highway. The general public is asked to avoid the area if possible.

• Anyone driving in rural Marlborough should be aware of the smoke and take extra care where visibility is restricted.

• Residents in the Waihopai Valley closest to the fire zone are advised to ensure that any combustible material is well clear of their houses.