Hill fire forces out residents
Blaze sends plume of smoke across Dunedin as flames hit recreational area
Most families evacuated as a large scrub fire tore across Flagstaff, above central Dunedin, were able to return home last night after the fire was brought under control.
Fire and Emergency regional controller Laurence Voight confirmed the fire was “under control” shortly before 7pm and helicopters had been stood down for the night.
Ground crews were to monitor the scene overnight in case of flare-ups, but Voight praised the efforts of fire crews — together with the timely arrival of some late-afternoon rain — for helping tackle the blaze in “very challenging conditions”.
Emergency services had evacuated residents from seven properties in Rudd Rd as a precaution, as the fire spread, but Voight said the residents of six of the seven homes were able to return home last night.
An evacuation centre opened yesterday afternoon at the Flagstaff Community Church has also closed, after about six families gathered there briefly from late afternoon.
The blaze, which began shortly after 1pm yesterday, sent a plume of smoke across part of the city as it marched along the Pineapple Track on Flagstaff.
And, as firefighters aided by eight helicopters fought the flames, police moved Rudd Rd residents as a precaution, ahead of northwest winds predicted to gust to 100km/h overnight.
At the fire’s height, parts of Dunedin were wreathed in smoke as the fire quickly took over the ridgeline,
consuming at least 12ha of scrub and gorse, and high flames were clearly visible from the central city through the afternoon.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Fenz) region manager Mike Grant said conditions at the time were hot, dry and windy, which had helped the fire spread quickly.
A weather shift later in the day brought higher humidity and drizzle, and the fire appeared to be all but out by late afternoon, no signs of smoke being visible.
A Fenz spokeswoman said last night that there was not yet any indication of what caused the fire, although a fire investigator was expected at the scene today.
The area is a popular recreational spot with walking and cycling tracks, which had been flown over soon after the fire started to ensure no one was on them. The landscape is covered in grass, scrub and tussock with forestry blocks nearby.
Fenz East Otago assistant area commander Craig Geddes said the fire was first seen by walkers, and initially covered about half a football field, but soon spread.
A bulldozer and digger had been used to forge access to the area, which was in difficult-to-reach terrain, allowing ground crews to reach the area as helicopters dropped water, he said.
The fire had been tracking towards an area of pine trees, blue gum and gorse, prompting the precautionary evacuation of residents, Geddes said.
A steady stream of residents left the area about 4.30pm, including some leading horses down Rudd Rd.