Six properties evacuated, as fire rages on north of Twizel

Photo: Jason Swain

Six properties have been evacuated as a precaution due to the large fire at Pukaki Downs, north of Twizel.

Police assisted with some of the evacuations, while some residents chose to self-evacuate. 

Fire and Emergency Assistant Commander Paul Tinsley said Mount Cook Road/State Highway 80 will be closed overnight between the Alpine Lavender Farm and the intersection with State Highway 8.

A Command Point has been established at this intersection.

Crews are continuing to undertake reconnaissance of the fire and monitor its progress through the night, but active firefighting remains too dangerous due to the high winds in the area. 

Twizel resident Scott Aronsen said “the wind has moved around to a westerly from the previous northerly direction and is pushing the fire front east.

Pretty much the same path as the last fire. The fire front is spread over probably about a km and appears to be behaving in a similar fashion to the last with some big flare ups and then it dies back down again however it is big fire.”