A state of emergency has been extended in Tasman as the wildfire that broke out a week ago rages on.
Civil Defence briefed media on Tuesday about the current state of the 2300 hectare fire.
They say the state of emergency has been extended for another seven days.
- Tasman fire: Residents could be days away from returning home
- Tasman fire: Wakefield residents can re-enter
- Tasman fire: Evacuated Wakefield residents could return home
- Tasman fire: Farmers, contractors warned not to use machinery
One firefighter was taken to hospital with dehydration on Tuesday. She was rehydrated and is recovering fine and expected to be released shortly, Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) Controller Trevor Mitchell says.
There are approximately 500 people from the Valley areas still evacuated from their homes.
FENZ is pleased with the progress made in the areas around Wakefield on Tuesday.
The fire still remains uncontained and has the potential to re-burn. An extreme fire risk remains in place for the Nelson Tasman area with forecasters expecting it to get progressively warmer this week.
Jim Frater, of Civil Defence, reminded people operating machinery to stop as a complete machinery ban remains in place.
Residents however can mow their lawns if it is flat with no rocks or stones.
Given the continued state of emergency, a high police presence will remain in place around Wakefield, Acting Tasman area commander Inspector Zane Hooper says.
Newshub.
