Fire and Emergency New Zealand is urging residents of Castle Hill Village to consider self-evacuating tonight as a precautionary measure, as the large vegetation fire at Bridge Hill continues to spread.
Incident Commander Brian Keown said it is “possible, but not probable” that the fire could reach the village overnight.
“It is a lot easier for people to leave now rather than trying to complete an emergency evacuation in the middle of the night,” said Keown. “We encourage people to stay with friends and family or return home if this is their holiday home.”
Keown assured residents that in the unlikely event the fire does threaten the village, an evacuation order will be issued through the Emergency Mobile Alert system and door knocking. “We will then do everything in our power to protect the properties if it is safe to do so,” he said.
“This is not an evacuation order, so if people want to stay, they can. However, they must be prepared to evacuate at very short notice.”
Selwyn District Council staff and Fire and Emergency personnel are going door-to-door to inform residents about the self-evacuation advisory.
The fire, which has now grown to 535 hectares, has primarily spread to the north but has started moving slowly southward due to a wind shift.
