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Second fire pushes Marlborough fire crews to the limit

Author
Tim Dower,
Publish Date
Fri, 27 Nov 2015, 4:31PM
(Newstalk ZB)
(Newstalk ZB)

Second fire pushes Marlborough fire crews to the limit

Author
Tim Dower,
Publish Date
Fri, 27 Nov 2015, 4:31PM

Another forest fire has broken out in Marlborough, stretching rural fire resources in the region even further.

Firefighters are already close to exhaustion after battling a 400 hectare fire in the Waikakaho Valley for the past three days.

Incident Controller Rob Hands said the new blaze is near the town of Ward.

"Suspected forest fire with three or four appliances attending and one aircraft that is attached to that."

Exhaustion is beginning to take its toll on firefighters, who've been at work on another blaze in the region for the past three days.

Helicopters are once again flying in Waikakaho Valley near Blenheim, after being grounded by strong winds.

Fire chiefs hope to have the flames out by tomorrow night.

Incident Controller Rob Hands said it's been a very demanding job for firefighters.

"Long days and short nights in hot temperatures and dehydration and all the rest of it, so we're monitoring that and we're making sure the vrews are fed and watered and hopefully rested."

Marlborough firefighters have invited people in the Waikakaho Valley to a meeting tomorrow, for an update on the fire.

Principal Rural Fire Officer Richard McNamara said it'll be an opportunity to get more information, and details of the help that's available to people affected by the fire.

The meeting will be at the Tuamarina Hall at 2pm.

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