Forest Wildfire in New Zealand Destroys Homes and Forces Evacuations, Reports Reuters

WELLINGTON (Reuters) – A bush fire on New Zealand’s South Island has rapidly spread across thousands of hectares, leading to property destruction and the evacuation of around 100 homes, officials reported on Wednesday.

The blaze, which began in Pegion Valley, Nelson, on Tuesday, has doubled in size overnight, now covering approximately 1,870 hectares with a perimeter of 20 kilometers, according to the Nelson Tasman Emergency Management Office.

Over 100 homes have been evacuated or self-evacuated, and residents are being accommodated at civil defense centers. Authorities have declared a civil defense emergency in the Nelson-Tasman region.

While several homes have been lost to the flames, there are currently no reported casualties or injuries. Strong winds have been exacerbating the fire’s spread, making it difficult for firefighters to access affected forest areas.

Emergency officials indicated that 12 firefighting crews have been active overnight, with the assistance of 10 helicopters and two planes deployed on Wednesday. Firefighters estimate it may take up to four days to fully extinguish the blaze.