New Zealand / Civil Defence

Nelson fire: Just 94 properties inaccessible over weekend

10:48 am on 15 February 2019

Residents of about 40 more properties in the fire-affected valleys of the Tasman District have been allowed back home this morning, Civil Defence says.

One of the firebreaks keeping the fire contained on Tuesday. Photo: Tasman Marlborough Fire Area

Regional Civil Defence controller Roger Ball said that left 94 valley properties still cordoned off.

He said residents of those properties should plan on being away from home until at least the end of this weekend, possibly longer.

Non-residents should stay away from all the recently reopened valley roads for the weekend, he said.

Altogether, more than 3000 people were evacuated from their homes last week.

Watch a Fire and Emergency video explaining what's happening on the fire ground: