Nelson bush fires

Several houses have been lost in Redwood Valley in the Nelson region in a large forest fire. A state of emergency has been declared.

People who are close to the fire or downwind of the fire have been evacuated.

The fire broke out mid-afternoon on Tuesday in Pigeon Valley near Nelson – it’s now grown to 1370 hectares.

Conditions are hot and windy and firefighters say they could be battling the blaze for another two to four days.

Twelve firefighting crews, two planes and six helicopters are trying to control the blaze.

Nelson residents are reporting ash is falling over the city, despite the fire being 30km away.

There had not been any rain in the area since December.