Subj : Multiple wildfires break out in lower South Island
To   : All
From : News Person
Date : Mon Mar 11 2024 01:38 pm

Three households have self-evacuated as firefighters battle multiple
wildfires in two rural areas of the Waitaki District.


Fire and Emergency said the fires were reported shortly after midnight.


In the Nenthorn area, about 30km from Middlemarch, Fire and Emergency
incident controller Bobby Lamont said crews had been working on three
separate fires, burning in windy conditions.


With two of the fires, they were focused on protecting buildings and had
limited options for other firefighting until daylight, he said.


Lamont said three households had self-evacuated and told anyone else in the
area feeling uneasy or unsafe about remaining in their homes to also leave.


Three helicopters, three tankers and five additional crews would be brought
in during the morning.


He said Nenthorne, Ramrock and Butter and Egg Roads were all closed.


There was also a fire burning in the Earthquakes area about 7km from
Duntroon, estimated to be about 20ha in size.


Fire and Emergency Commander Phil Marsh said no structures were at risk, and
two helicopters and heavy machinery would be working on the fire this morning.


Smoke from the Earthquakes fire was noticeable in Oamaru and prompted several
111 calls earlier this morning, he said.


rnz.co.nz

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