Fire and Emergency New Zealand said the fire at West Melton has been contained, with crews focusing on extinguishing hotspots to prevent flare-ups as strong winds are expected this afternoon.
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“All evacuated residents were able to return home early this morning, but they should stay alert in case conditions change,” a Fire and Emergency spokesperson said.
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The fire covers 134 hectares and has firefighters, four helicopters, and heavy machinery on the ground. Crews are expected to remain on-site for two to three days.
A significant amount of unburnt vegetation within the perimeter remains a concern as winds increase later today.
Old West Coast Road is open to all traffic, but a 30km speed restriction is in place near the Thomsons Road intersection due to the large number of Fire and Emergency vehicles in the area.
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A fire investigation is underway to determine the cause of the blaze, which broke out last night.
Fire and Emergency plans to provide another update at 4pm unless the situation changes.
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