Waikari Valley Fire 18.2.24
This summer may well be remembered as the one of vegetation fires.
At 8pm last night a vegetation started in Waikari Valley, causing the evacuation of a number of properties on Shell Rock Road and Glenmark Drive. Waipara Community Hall was the Civil Defence evacuation centre.
At 3pm today Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) announced at a community meeting that residents could return home. The 300-hectare fire remained active, having jumped its containment line this afternoon, but has been contained thanks to more than 50 firefighters (including a number of local volunteer brigades who have been working hard all summer in a variety of firefighting roles) with the assistance of two helicopters.
For residents returning home, a strong emphasis was put on remaining vigilant. This meant packing an emergency bag and keeping it in a vehicle, having an evacuation plan for pets, keeping in touch with neighbours, and calling 111 for sightings of smoke and flames which may have newly developed.
Incident Commander Des Irving thanked those impacted residents for their continued patience.
"It is never easy to leave your home at short notice like these people had to do last night, but safety is always the priority.”
"We are pleased with the progress made today and have allowed residents to return home but remain vigilant and prepared for another evacuation."
Ground crews from FENZ will remain on site for a number of days and pay close attention to the sub-terrain nature of the fire, high winds fanning the area, and hot spots. A southerly change is expected this evening.
It was stated was no reported livestock losses, or any structures lost or damaged.
Mayor Marie Black thanked everyone for a huge collective effort including the local brigades, Waipara’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) who made sure everyone at the evacuation centre was fed and watered, noting that some CERT members were also evacuees, locals who offered assistance for accommodation or animal placement, police, and the wider FENZ team.
“We are here working together, I’m really grateful for the support, as we work through this as a team.
Information tips from FENZ for evacuated residents returning home, (fire conditions are unpredictable and can change quickly):
Keep a torch, cell phone and shoes by your bed.
Have a cell phone charger ready to take with you.
Have important documents together and close at hand.
Gather some clothes and toiletries suitable for a 24-hour period – have these ready in your car.
You may have ash or retardant on your property – it is not toxic, so is safe to wash away with water.
Keep pets inside where practicable, and have crates ready to go if available.
You may still see smoke – please don’t be alarmed, we expect smoke as we continue to fight the fire over the coming days.
** BUT if you see smoke or flames in a NEW place, please call 111 and let us know, so our trained dispatchers can assess your information.
Make sure FENZ has your up to date phone number and email address.
Photo: George Heard