Yesterday’s wind, which hampered Fire and Emergency New Zealand efforts to extinguish this large vegetation fire in Deans Valley, near Waitati, is expected to be nothing compared to today’s.
It was unclear how it started.
Ten fire appliances and two helicopters with monsoon buckets responded to the blaze and were expected to remain at the Waitati fire until this morning.
Photo: Craig Baxter
Wind warnings have been issued for large chunks of the country, including orange wind warnings — the MetService’s second-highest alert level — in place for Otago, Southland and Stewart Island from 3am to 3pm today.
The MetService says those could also be upgraded to red warnings and is urging southern residents to stay indoors and keep a close eye on its website.
