Smouldering forest inferno re-ignites

Authorities are still being troubled by flare-ups at the site of a blaze that ripped through 48 hectares of forestry near Canvastown earlier this week.

A helicopter was called in to douse flames at the site about 5pm yesterday.

Department of Conservation Nelson-Marlborough fire technical support officer Brian Paton said the blaze was localised and extinguished by about 6pm.

Members of the Canvastown Rural Fire Force kept a close eye on the site last night, while a contract gang with a smoke-chasing vehicle would remain at the scene today.

Strong winds remained a threat, he said.

About 30 firefighters from the Rai Valley, Havelock and Renwick volunteer fire brigades, the Linkwater Rural Fire Force and the Canvastown Rural Fire Party, battled the initial blaze, which started about 10.15 on Tuesday night.

About 40 residents from 12 homes in Te Hora Pa Rd were evacuated at midnight to nearby Te Hora marae.

At daybreak, five helicopters, six water tankers and three bulldozers were brought in to help.

Mr Paton said a Rural Fire investigation to determine the cause of the fire was continuing.

- The Marlborough Express

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