Firefighters have begun a third day of fighting a major forest fire in Marlborough.
Five properties in the Waikakaho Valley area were evacuated yesterday and people in a further 20 homes left on their own accord, after a fire broke out in dry vegetation in a private forestry area on Wednesday.
Fire crews were now worried about the fire burning "downwards, heading to nearby properties", One News reported this morning.
Hot weather and strong winds were exacerbating the situation.
The fire was currently raging across 368ha, One News said.
The blaze started near a skid site on commercial forest which YSI Forests owned.
There had been no major property damage so far, but several cars had been destroyed, the Marlborough District Council said.
A total fire ban is now in place in Marlborough and all fire permits have been suspended.
Emergency contacts:
• Top of the South Rural Support Trust for assistance on 0800 787 254 or Ian Blair on (03) 578 9923.
• Marlborough Council assistance contact Lyn Reeves on (03) 520 7400.
• SPCA for assistance with the shelter and transport of animals, on 027 201 9016 or 027 886 1538.
