Firefighters battle wildfire in Nelson -Tasman region of New Zealand

SteveFTM

Striker
Nelson bush fire: New blaze as crews fight 'horrendous' wildfire

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We've now reached the 4th day of this wildfire that is devasting the Nelson- Tasman region. We are on standby for evacuation as firefighters are struggling to contain the fire and the news this morning that strong winds are forecasted won't help. There has been water restrictions in place for the past week due to the scorching temperatures and emergency services are having to source water from wherever possible, even people's swimming pools in the area.

Many homes have been evacuated already and we're ready to move out at a moment's notice. Some of you might have relatives or friends living or staying in the area, make sure they're ok.
 


Nelson bush fire: New blaze as crews fight 'horrendous' wildfire

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We've now reached the 4th day of this wildfire that is devasting the Nelson- Tasman region. We are on standby for evacuation as firefighters are struggling to contain the fire and the news this morning that strong winds are forecasted won't help. There has been water restrictions in place for the past week due to the scorching temperatures and emergency services are having to source water from wherever possible, even people's swimming pools in the area.

Many homes have been evacuated already and we're ready to move out at a moment's notice. Some of you might have relatives or friends living or staying in the area, make sure they're ok.

Best wishes to all of you.
 
Best wishes to all of you.
Cheers, it doesn't look good, the forecasted strong winds due later today won't help and that could be the breaking point. I got the car loaded up ready for the off so it's just a wait and see situation. Helicopters all over the place dropping water, looks like a scene from Apocalypse Now, can hardly see across the road for the dense smoke.
 
Some 200 homes have been evacuated and we're on standby to get the hell out of here. The dense smoke is becoming a problem, if it becomes unbearable we'll have to move out.
Stay safe mate. Gallows humour but the racing’s off for a few days
 
Everything crossed for you mate.
Cheers marra, I'm hopeful things will be ok, it does make you think when something like this happens. We could lose everything, football and horse racing stuff I've kept all these years could go up in flames but I suppose there's more important things to save.

Everything crossed for you mate.
Just been told to evacuate the house, we're out of here, until further notice.
 
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Cheers marra, I'm hopeful things will be ok, it does make you think when something like this happens. We could lose everything, football and horse racing stuff I've kept all these years could go up in flames but I suppose there's more important things to save.


Just been told to evacuate the house, we're out of here, until further notice.
Good luck there.
 
mates have a rural property in Dovedale, haven't heard how they're doing but one of the fires is around there...??
 
Stay safe @SteveFTM I hope nature itself helps things mate, be it rain or wind, such a terrible situation to even comprehend :eek::(

Yeah I know, hope it doesn't have an effect on Cheltenham really looking forward to that providing the house doesn't burn down :lol:

Don’t look at the latest Horse Racing news then ffs :confused::lol:
 
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Cheers marra, I'm hopeful things will be ok, it does make you think when something like this happens. We could lose everything, football and horse racing stuff I've kept all these years could go up in flames but I suppose there's more important things to save.


Just been told to evacuate the house, we're out of here, until further notice.
Good luck fella and stay safe. Loved our travel from Picton to Nelson and on to Hanmer springs a couple of years ago with our Son and his family. Especially liked the pub converted from a Church the Free House iirc
 
Thanks to all that have shown concern and posted here. The update is that after we were asked to evacuate we drove to the Civil Defence centre held at Saxon Sports centre in Stoke, those that have been here might know the place. I had packed some essential bits and pieces in the car, food, water, clothing and food for our 3 cocker spaniels a couple of days before all this kicked off so we were prepared. After we registered at the CDC we were handed a box and a large canvas bag full of items donated by local companies. Bread, water, snacks, toiletries and many other essential everyday items. Like I say we had most of these items packed in the car but despite our protests that we had sufficient items already we were told that we were entitled and told to take them. We told them because of the 3 dogs we were just going to sleep in the car (Nelson isn't particularly dog friendly, finding somewhere that allows dogs is rarer than rocking horse shit) After hearing our predicament, within 20 mins they had rang around and found someone who had a separate self contained building in the back garden which was fenced off and also had a dog so there was no problem letting us stay. Turns out the couple were from Luton and had been here 11 years. We couldn't believe our luck, the accommodation is 5 star with all mod cons, fantastic friendly couple and plenty of room for the dogs.

The downside is that this wildfire isn't contained and has now reached level ground. This new information coupled with the forecasted strong winds expected for today and tomorrow increases the risk of losing our property to the fire. The road into and out of town is now closed and the NZ Army are now in operation securing the area.

Things don't look good.

mates have a rural property in Dovedale, haven't heard how they're doing but one of the fires is around there...??
The would have been amongst the first to have been evacuated marra, hope they're safe somewhere.
 
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Thanks to all that have shown concern and posted here. The update is that after we were asked to evacuate we drove to the Civil Defence centre held at Saxon Sports centre in Stoke, those that have been here might know the place. I had packed some essential bits and pieces in the car, food, water, clothing and food for our 3 cocker spaniels a couple of days before all this kicked off so we were prepared. After we registered at the CDC we were handed a box and a large canvas bag full of items donated by local companies. Bread, water, snacks, toiletries and many other essential everyday items. Like I say we had most of these items packed in the car but despite our protests that we had sufficient items already we were told that we were entitled and told to take them. We told them because of the 3 dogs we were just going to sleep in the car (Nelson isn't particularly dog friendly, finding somewhere that allows dogs is rarer than rocking horse shit) After hearing our predicament, within 20 mins they had rang around and found someone who had a separate self contained building in the back garden which was fenced off and also had a dog so there was no problem letting us stay. Turns out the couple were from Luton and had been here 11 years. We couldn't believe our luck, the accommodation is 5 star with all mod cons, fantastic friendly couple and plenty of room for the dogs.

The downside is that this wildfire isn't contained and has now reached level ground. This new information coupled with the forecasted strong winds expected for today and tomorrow increases the risk of losing our property to the fire. The road into and out of town is now closed and the NZ Army are now in operation securing the area.

Things don't look good.


The would have been amongst the first to have been evacuated marra, hope they're safe somewhere.

Got everything crossed for you mate and hoping the area gets some random good old North East drizzle for a week or so.
 
Got everything crossed for you mate and hoping the area gets some random good old North East drizzle for a week or so.
Not seen a drop since October but yeah if we could have a surprise downpour now would be a massive relief. This is the worst wildfire incident in NZ since 1953. The next 24hrs will probably tell whether we lose everything or not.
 
Not seen a drop since October but yeah if we could have a surprise downpour now would be a massive relief. This is the worst wildfire incident in NZ since 1953. The next 24hrs will probably tell whether we lose everything or not.

f***ing hell, best of luck mate!
 

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