Nelson bush fire: Pigeon Valley and Rabbit Island wildfires in photos
Tuesday, 5 February 2019
A helicopter in the smoke at Nelson's Rabbit Island wildfire.
A massive wildfire in Nelson's Pigeon Valley has sent plumes of smoke across the region and forced 235 evacuations. The blaze has been assaulted on Wednesday by 48 fire crew,14 aircraft and 10 pieces of 'heavy machinery', according to Civil Defence. Stuff readers have sent in dramatic photos and videos of the out of control fire.
The view from Rocks Road in Nelson of the forest fire that started in Pigeon Valley near Wakefield.A view of part of the fire that has emergency crews scrambling in Nelson.A sprawling uncontrolled forest fire burns in Pigeon Valley, outside Wakefield, Tasman. A massive cloud of smoke billows from a raging forest fire southwest of Nelson.A red sun in the midst of the smoke over Nelson.Smoke near Nelson caused by forest fires.A helicopter above Nelson's smoke.Pigeon Valley fire from Mapua with smoke carrying over Richmond to Nelson.Roger Harman is pretty relaxed. He has been evacuated but says 'what can you do?' He lives in Redwood Valley road for 7 years. He left sheep and a cat behind. He crossing his fingers for them. He wanted to stay for a bit but his wife Linda insisted they go. They took papers, some photos and some cash. They will stay in their camper van tonight. He wanted to go back home for a couple of bottles of wine but the road is closed - even to residents.Beehives being trucked out so they are unaffected by forest fires.Smoke cloud photo taken from Coster Street in Enner Glynn, Nelson.Plumes of smoke the Nelson fire.Darcy Lawrey took this photo from Victory in Nelson of the orange clouds coming across from the Pigeon Valley fire.A red sun over a UB40 concert in at the Trafalgar Centre, Nelson.Volunteer Apeera Deer running the road closure on Golden Hills Road.In the early evening, Nelson beekeepers near the summit of the Moutere hill were packing up their bees, though were unsure where to take them. Approximately 20 hives were packed onto utes by four beekeepers. Some bees will be lost, but they said it was better than losing the core group.Plumes of smoke cover Nelson Tasman region from a fire in Pigeon Valley.Smoke coming from the Nelson fire viewed from the ocean.Fire in Wakefield, Nelson area.View of the wildfire from a Richmond rooftop.Jack Burden captured this image of the sun behind the smoke from the Nelson fire.Shot of the forest fires taken from near Upper Moutere.View from Ruby Bay near Nelson of the Wildfire.View of the Pigeon Valley fire from Riwaka at 10pm, Tuesday 5 February 2019.From the port hills the fire is visible even though it is about 25km away. The ridge is ablaze and flare ups can be seen. There are spectators watching on along the streets.Pigeon Valley fire from Riwaka at 8.15pm, Tuesday 5 February 2019.Pictures capture smoke from Apple Valley East Rd, Mapua, Nelson. Taken on Tuesday about 8pm. This is taken from Stoke, Nelson just as the flames started coming over the ridge. Pictures capture smoke from Apple Valley East Rd, Mapua, Nelson. Taken on Tuesday about 8pm. The sun turned blood orange through the smoke and haze.Views of the fire from Tahunanui Beach and Nelson City on Tuesday evening. \Residents wait to hear news as fire and emergency crews congregate at the Forward Command Point on the Moutere Highway.Residents and property owners meet with authorities to hear news about the Nelson fire.Nelson volunteer brigade 212 were near the fire front on the Redwood Hills in Tasman.Nelson volunteer brigade 212 return from a night in the hills protecting properties.The fire started on Tuesday afternoon on Eves Valley Road, near Nelson. The fire has come within metres of multiple properties near Nelson.Helicopters with monsoon buckets fight the fire near the Eves Valley Saw Mill. Properties were damaged by the Nelson fires. Fire fighting crews battled through the night to save many properties from Nelson fires on the Redwood Hills in Tasman.This picture was taken from Redwood Valley.Another fire has broken out on Nelson's Rabbit Island, near the site of the Pigeon Valley wildfire.Another angle on the second fire in Nelson. Rabbit Island seen from Atawhai at 3.30pm on Wednesday with helicopters all around,Smoke fills the sky above Redwood Valley looking south to Eves Valley.The fire seen from Redwood Valley looking south to Eves Valley.Philip Thompson said he spotted the RNZAF Hercules landing at Nelson.Dousing the Rabbit Island blaze with water.Refilling monsoon buckets. The Nelson bush fire rages. The Nelson fire in full fury. The fire as seen from Atawhai.Helicopters battle a massive fire in Nelson. The blaze has come with in meters of multiple property.The Nelson fire from Atawhai.
