A crew from Wellington Chatham Islands Rural Fire Brigade working on the fire perimeter. Photo / FENZ
A crew from Wellington Chatham Islands Rural Fire Brigade working on the fire perimeter. Photo / FENZ
The once devastating and powerful Pigeon Valley fire near Nelson has been contained and is under control following extensive work by firefighters.
A 30-metre boundary black-out zone has been created around the entire perimeter of the fire which once raged over 2100 hectares.
Emergency services aren't stopping there either, withFire and Emergency New Zealand are working to extend the boundary to 50-metres.
A 30m blacked out fire control line is complete around 93 per cent of the fire perimeter, with just 2.2km to go (green line). Photo / Nelson Tasman Civil Defence
Nelson Tasman Civil Defence said the remaining controlled access cordons in Teapot, Eves and Redwood valleys have been lifted.
"We've had 5mm of rain this morning, but with no follow-up rain expected in the near future, the fire risk across the region will continue to be extreme," Civil Defence said.
"Please stay prepared to evacuate should the need arise.
"Once the cordons are lifted, NZ Police will continue to monitor the valleys throughout the coming days and nights."
Parks and reserves in the Tasman and Nelson areas remain closed and a machinery ban and State of Emergency remain in place for Section 91.