A fire which began near Nelson yesterday has spread overnight and now covers about 200 hectares of pine plantation, scrub and native bush.
Waimea rural fire authority spokesman Mark Forward said the fire began about 4.15pm in the Tadmor Valley area, about 45km southwest of Nelson, and was fanned by strong winds.
Nearby homes were evacuated at 5pm and within four hours about 50 hectares were burning and one building had been damaged.
Mr Forward said nine helicopters now at the scene would do the bulk of the firefighting work.
A further 40 ground personnel and a range of earthmoving equipment were on site, and hoped to make use of favourable weather before the winds picked up as forecast, Mr Forward said.
