Wairau Bar Friday fire currently uncontained

Civilians are asked to keep away from the Wairau Bar this afternoon as an uncontrolled grassfire sees nine fire engines and two helicopters respond.

Two vegetation fires, one at Tuamarina and a more serious one on Wairau Bar Road, have seen volunteer fire sirens ringing out across Marlborough this afternoon.

Fire engines from Rarangi and Blenheim Fire Stations have responded to the 11.16 notification of a vegetation fire, while another 30 minutes later at 11.48 is attended by crews from Blenheim, Blenheim Rural, Renwick Waihopai, Koromiko, Wairau Valley, and Linkwater plus two helicopters with monsoon buckets as of 1.30pm.

FENZ South shift manager Blair Walklin said the helicopter originally needed for a vehicle fire in Tuamarina had been redirected to focus on the Wairau Bar.

"The grassfire is around 2km long, 100 meters wide and burning uncontained near the sea just north of the Bar itself. We have nine appliances on site, and two helicopters on site assisting", he said.

"Road blocks are in place but please stay away from the area to assist in our response efforts.

"The first call to Tuamarina saw two Rarangi crews and one from Blenheim, plus a helicopter originally respond excavator on fire in a forestry block, which is now contained and being dampened down.

The two fires come as the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union, representing firefighters, officers, National Communications Centre staff, and other operational roles such as training, volunteer support, risk reduction, and community readiness and recovery, went on strike for an hour from midday.

The career firefighters' union and Fire and Emergency NZ was not able to collectively agree ahead of the strike after a day and a half of negotiations.

MORE TO COME.