New Zealand Defence Force Fire Fighters help combat the Nelson fires.
High winds have forced Civil Defence to stop the remaining Nelson residents going back to their homes in the fire-affected Pigeon Valley today.
Civil Defence group controller Angus McKay said wind gusts of up 81km/h this morning posed too much of a risk to allow people into the area.
"We
have been watching weather and wind conditions closely overnight and, together with Fire and Emergency New Zealand, have made the call to suspend restricted access today.
"This also means that planned conditional re-entry for the remaining Pigeon Valley Rd residents, (including Sharp Rd) has been cancelled today.
"The risk of significant flare-ups and our ability to evacuate people at short notice has been the primary consideration behind making this decision," McKay said.
