The forest fire raging in at a forestry site in Marlborough is the biggest the region has seen in 15 years.
It's ripped through 1150 hectares in part of forestry and farmland in the Wairau Valley, with a perimeter of 17km.
Marlborough principal regional fire officer Richard McNamara says it's the biggest firefighters have faced since the Boxing Day fires in 2000 which tore through 7000 hectares of grassland and it is moving quickly.
The difference being this fire has "a hundred times" the fuel loading in front of it and is well away from the closest population.
"Although it's a dynamic situation we can assure residents in the upper Waihopai Valley that there’s no direct threat to houses or buildings."
The fire is doing what is known as 'spotting' – throwing up embers which ignite small fires – up to 700 metres from the fire's edges.
Planning is now underway for tomorrow afternoon which Mr McNamara believes will be a "crucial period" for firefighters based on the weather forecast, the fire's behaviour and the path it has taken.
It is still considered to be out of control, but the fire hard work and calm conditions have allowed firefighters to make progress.
Thirteen aircraft are working with around 100 fire crew including heavy machinery operators and support staff.
"They’ve been able to contain some of the spotting which was worrying people living in the upper Waihopai Valley but it’s going to be a long haul to get this one under control," Mr McNamara says.
Smoke from the fire, which started in a commercial forestry block yesterday, can be seen 30km out from the Marlborough coastline.
Access to water has been hard for firefighters and water is being transported to the operations base by tanker so the helicopters can fill their monsoon buckets from dip trailers.
Thick smoke yesterday made conditions treacherous for firefighters and also caused two families to leave their house in the nearby Waihopai Valley.
Mr McNamara has warned the fire could go on for some days.
"It's steep land with 35 degree slopes, rough country which is dangerous for fire fighters on the ground and it’s going to be some time before this one is under control," he says.
What is perhaps in their favour is the wind hasn't been as strong as it was two weeks ago where firefighters were pushed to the limit battling a large fire in the Waikakaho Valley.
The public has been asked to be aware of heavy water tankers and fire vehicles moving through the Wairau Valley township.
Parsons Rd at the intersection of State Highway 63 is also closed to the public.
Anyone driving in the Waihopai Valley could face restricted visibility from the smoke and Mr McNamara says farmers in the area should use their own judgement and move stock if the think it is necessary.
3 News
