Nelson bush fire: Farmers warned to 'avoid risks'
Wednesday, 6 February 2019
Farmers in the Nelson-Tasman area have been urged to take 'extreme care' to avoid risk to life and property as the bush fire in Pigeon Valley rages on.
On Wednesday, rural advocacy group Federated Farmers called on its membership and all others to heed the instructions of Fire and Emergency, and Civil Defence.
Board member and fire spokeswoman Karen Williams said the situation in Nelson was 'fast-moving' and personal safety was paramount.
'If you are told to evacuate, please follow those instructions. It may be heart-breaking having to leave your home and property, but you are ultimately what is valuable.'
**READ MORE:
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* Nelson bush fire: Teapot Valley residents work to protect their homes
* Nelson bush fire: What you need to know
* Nelson bush fire: Civil Defence Minister Kris Faafoi - 'Everything that could be done is being done'**
A state of emergency had been declared in Tasman and the fire was understood to cover around 19 square kilometres, the equivalent of around 19 rugby fields.
Williams said if fire made it to animal-stocked farmland, care was required.
'Opening gates can be problematic as loose stock can be another serious hazard to responders.'
It was best to herd stock into wet areas such as swamps.
'Even Lucerne or worked – not sprayed paddocks – if practical. But please bear in mind each fire is different and this advice may not be practical for your particular situation.'
Williams said she understood an evacuation shelter had been set up at a local race course which was taking animals, particularly for lifestyle block residents that have small numbers of stock.
Ground crews and 16 helicopters were fighting the blaze, first called in about 2pm on Tuesday at Pigeon Valley, near Wakefield, about 30km southwest of Nelson.
About 170 homes had so far been evacuated.
The fire had more than doubled in size by Wednesday morning.
Houses had been lost in two separate areas, but there had been no reports of injury or loss of life.
Tips to reduce fire risk on rural properties:
As the summer conditions are beginning to bite throughout New Zealand, there are some steps that farmers can undertake to reduce the fire risk on their farms over this period.
Reduce the fire fuels on your property by mowing grass often or removing dead fuels from around your farm
Create a fire break around your property
Maintain green laws and ensure paddocks around buildings and yards are well grazed and not overgrown
Have an easily-accessible or portable water source clearly identified for emergency crews
Provide clear access to your farm for emergency vehicles, remove overhanging trees and clear driveways
Make sure your RAPID number is clearly visible for emergency vehicles
Create a fire plan for your family, livestock and assets, so you know what to do if the situation strikes
Know the fire risk, know what the current fire dangers are and what the restrictions are in your area. You can do this by visiting www.checkitsalright.nz
* Scion Rural Fire Research and Federated Farmers