New Zealanders need to be better informed on how to deal with fires, Aussie says
Sunday, 10 February 2019
As four helicopters carrying monsoon buckets flew overhead, Vicki Charles frantically ran around her yard hoping to do anything she could to stop embers igniting her Nelson property.
Charles, a 49-year-old sculptor from Melbourne, was relaxing at home when she received a call from a friend warning her there was a fire burning in forest on Walters Bluff just one kilometre from her home, on Friday afternoon.
Charles looked out her window and saw large flames and huge clouds of smoke billowing from the hillside.
'I looked up and saw all the smoke and there were helicopters starting to dump water on it.
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'I ran outside because I knew I had shade cloths, outdoor furniture, and there were twigs everywhere.'
She then went to work frantically clearing the yard of potential items that could fuel the fire and dampening down her property with a hose.
'I was just focused on my backyard.'
Charles said the blaze brought back frightening memories of the Black Saturday bush fires in Victoria, Australia - the country's most deadly bushfire, which killed 173 people in February 2009.
'I just panicked, I saw flames and the fire and lots of smoke and I just got really scared.
'I just had visions of Black Saturday… of all the horrendous stories of people being boiled alive in their dens [sheds] because they were trying to protect themselves.'
Fire crews would stay throughout the night on Friday, battling the hillside blaze in Walters Bluff.
'I didn't get much sleep that night. I was exhausted and felt fairly traumatised.'
Charles said growing up in Australia and being informed frequently on how to deal with wildfires helped her with preparing for a potential out-of-control fire.
'[In Australia] on TV it's commercial after commercial telling you to prepare your property…whereas in New Zealand you guys are more focused on earthquake commercials.'
She said she felt Kiwis could benefit from being better informed on how to prepare their properties and safeguard themselves if a wildfire broke out near their home.
'I just looked out on the street and my neighbours weren't really doing anything, but for me it was just 'you have to clean it all up'.'
A Fire and Emergency New Zealand media spokeswoman said there were several things people could do to reduce fire risk to their properties during bushfires.
Those at risk should remove flammable items from around their house such as deck furniture, firewood and door mats, she said.
'They should dampen dry areas around the house, especially where dry leaves could gather, such as gutters and decks, and make sure gaps are not open under the house.'
She said gutters should also be kept clear and windows should be closed.
If areas are being evacuated because of fire, they should find any house pets and bring them inside for the night, she said.
They should also prepare essential items such as food, clothing, medication and leave their cellphones on charge overnight to insure they received any fire alerts, she said.
Charles applauded the efforts of the fire crews in the air and on the ground fighting the fire.
'They did an absolutely fantastic job.
'I'm really grateful for what the firefighters have been doing.'
A massive fire near tinder-dry Nelson has been burning since Tuesday with more than 2600 people being evacuated from their homes as of Sunday morning.
The fire covers about 2300 hectares and it is 'almost certain' the fire was caused by agriculture machinery. At least one house near Nelson has been lost.
Wind gusts, which could reach up to 50kmh, are expected on Sunday, potentially heightening the fire danger.
Those being evacuated are asked to register at the Civil Defence Centre at Saxton Field Stadium in Stoke or call 03 543 8400. People who feel in danger should call 111.