'Evacuate now!': Tasman residents told to flee as fire rages

Emergency services are telling residents of Eves Valley to evacuate after a 120-hectare fire continues to blaze near Nelson.

"The fire that began mid-afternoon is currently covering 120 hectares and is growing in a northeasterly direction in dry hot conditions and strong winds," Tasman-Marlborough Fire Area brigade said on Facebook.

"Residents of Eves Valley residents and the Eves Valley Saw Mill have been advised to evacuate," the brigade told people in the area.

"Teapot Valley residents are advised to get themselves ready for evacuation if the need arises as there will not be much time," it said.

Three helicopters have been tasked to tackle the blaze, along with fire crews from throughout the area.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand were called to the area around 2.15pm after reports of smoke.

Police said in a statement they were called to assist Fenz around 3.15pm.

Motorists are also being asked to avoid the area.

MetService reports the Nelson region has a current temperature of 28.1C with 30kmh southwesterly winds.

Stephen Cox said the Nelson area hasn't seen rain in over a month and along with dry conditions, the wind is helping to fuel the fire.

Cox said he first heard sirens shortly after 2pm and only a small plume of smoke could be seen, however, now he says there is a "huge ball of smoke".

"[It has been burning] at least two and a half hours ... there was only a small amount of smoke but since then we've had multiple fire engines, multiple police vehicles all hurtling out there," he said.

"We haven't had rain here for weeks and weeks and there's quite a strong southwesterly wind helping the blaze."

"There's just a huge ball of smoke and [water] tankers going out there and fire engines going out there."

 

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