Nelson bush fire: Evacuation preparations for Wakefield as Teapot Valley residents ready to lose homes

Friday, 8 February 2019

A view of the inferno from Katania Heights on Thursday night.

Wakefield residents have been told to prepare to evacuate as Nelson's bush fire continues to sweep the land.

Vehicles streamed out of Wakefield along State Highway 6 toward Nelson at 10pm – the hills were lit with a deep, red glow.

The massive forest fire began burning near tinder-dry Nelson on Tuesday. It flared up again on Thursday as a result of northwesterly gusts.

Police have asked those in the wider-Wakefield area to keep their phones on for alerts. Civil Defence warns residents to remove flammable items from around the home.

With the fire intensifying, Nelson Tasman Civil Defence issued a precautionary message warning residents of the possible evacuation about 10pm.

People watch the fire from Katania Heights at 11pm Thursday.

Residents in the area north of SH6 Wakefield, between Pigeon Valley and Arnold Lane, have been told to prepare essential items such as food, clothing and medication to take should they need to evacuate.

Wakefield has a population of about 3000.

Some have received emergency text alerts asking them to be prepared to leave.

Some Wakefield residents have already received emergency alerts advising them to be ready to evacuated if needed.

About 10.30pm, flames could be seen leaping from the treetops in Teapot Valley, drawing gasps from the crowd gathered atop Katania Heights in Brightwater.

Teapot Valley resident Nathan Palmer and his family watched on, prepared to lose their home.

The fire at 11pm, seen from Katania Heights.

Palmer, his wife, three children and their grandparents evacuated their two-storey home of 10 years just before 4pm on Thursday. They were forced to leave a calf behind.

'We thought 'it's coming, it's still out of control',' he said.

People watch the flames from Katania Heights.

'Sure enough the policemen came up and said you've got 10 minutes to grab your stuff and get going.'

On Thursday morning the fire was about one kilometre from the house, by the time they left it was 500 metres from the doorstep, he said.

A man watches the flames from the roof of his car.

Watching the flames from afar was 'really depressing'.

'It is devastating … but you take it as it comes. You can't do anything about it.

'The helicopter guys and all the firefighters have done the best they can. It's all you can ask for, isn't it?'

This photo taken from Wakefield earlier on Thursday shows the Nelson bush fire flaring up again.

Palmer said there were four other houses on the road they lived on. The neighbours were close-knit. Everyone was in disbelief, he said.

CIVIL DEFENCE ADVICE:

Civil Defence has advised people to take deck furniture and door mats indoors.

Residents were told to dampen dry areas around the house, especially where dry leaves could gather.

This includes wetting gutters, spraying decks and making sure gaps are not open under the house, Civil Defence said.

A timelapse capture of today's flareup near Wakefield taken between 7pm and 9.30pm.

People in the Wakefield area should also keep their windows closed overnight.

Cats and dogs should be brought inside.

Cellphones should be left on and charged overnight, and people should contact neighbours and friends in the Wakefield area to ensure they are prepared.

Police say if you receive a text alert, please read it carefully.

If you feel uncomfortable staying in the area and choose to self-evacuate, register with Civil Defence on 03 543 8400.

If you are in danger or have immediate concerns for yourself or someone else call 111.