Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Fire forced the closure of the main inland road from Nelson to Christchurch for several hours today, though one lane has now been reopened.
Fire and Emergency NZ (FENZ) said the scrub fire near the Shenandoah Saddle, south of Murchison, had grown to 25 hectares in size.
It was still burning but was under control and would be monitored by two fire-fighters overnight.
UPDATE 8:20PM
— Waka Kotahi NZTA Top of the South (@WakaKotahiTotS) January 23, 2023
SH65 remains down to one lane under temporary traffic management this evening following a fire.
Please follow instructions from crews on-site and continue to expect delays in the area.
For overnight updates: https://t.co/kp00KUl6XE ^CS https://t.co/AzZKqkwUCM
FENZ crews were called to the fire on State Highway 65 at Neilson Flat at 11.10am.
Four helicopters were brought in to help battle the blaze over the course of the day, alongside a ground crew from Springs Junction, and a rural tanker from Lake Rotoiti.
FENZ said the terrain was hilly and hard to access on foot.
The fire earlier forced the closure of the main inland route from Nelson to Christchurch, between Springs Junction and Murchison, for several hours, and a detour was put in place. Although one lane is now available, motorists were being warned to expect delays.
FENZ said crews and helicopters would be back early tomorrow morning to carry on the job.
