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Editorial: Fire has been well fought
One of New Zealand's largest forest fires appears to have been well fought.
One of New Zealand's largest forest fires appears to have been well fought.
At 4pm today, the 3000 residents of Wakefield got the news they were hoping for.
Officials said it was a balancing act allowing 680 households to return.
Wakefield evacuees could return home tonight, dew and high humidity helping firefighters.
"The other guy thought that he'd be a saviour and he got taken out as well".
"It's no exaggeration to say that today Nelson felt like it was under attack."
Prohibited activities include those where metal meets stone and that can generate sparks.
Terry Coleman isn't sure if he'll have a home to go back to.
Loo roll in the changing room, cornflakes in the bar:The clubroom-turned-free supermarket.
"We remind people that the safety of the public and their properties is the priority."
Nearly 900 properties were evacuated in the Wakefield area on Friday.
It's not exciting, it's not glamorous and it's certainly not easy.
One person was taken to hospital after a car fire north of Motueka
Winds over 50km/h would ground the helicopters which have been dumping water on the blaze.
Affected residents speak about being evacuated and helping out on the home front.
A second fire has broken out in Walter's Bluff, in Nelson.
Nelson residents are being evacuated following a second fire.
Signs of fire seen near forest north of Waimakariri River in Canterbury
They were told it wasn't safe but they couldn't leave the pigs trapped inside a pen.
At 2.13pm Scott then phoned 111, then he took the first photo of the fire.
Flames reached the deck of one home as fire crews battled to force the blaze back.
Warm day, light winds but no rain forecast today for Tasman fire zone
When the time comes to flee, what do you grab?
Yesterday the 1900-hectare fire was reduced by 300-hectares.
Wakefield residents have been warned they may need to flee during the night.
More evacuations underway as a result of Pigeon Valley Fire as winds, humidity increase.
"It was like a big mushroom. It was quite spectacular."
Resident woke at 3am to check on the fire and saw 'looter' lurking around.
An investigation has been launched into the criminal charge of causing death by arson.