"Tasman fire - Further evacuations in Wakefield area"

Attributable to Inspector Zane Hooper, Acting Tasman District Commander:

Police advise the Civil Defence controller has authorised further evacuation of the Wakefield area.

The additional area now to be evacuated is bound by

-Barton Lane to the north

- Higgins Road to the east, through to Baigent Valley Road to the south.

As part of the evacuation process, State Highway 6 will be closed in the evacuated area to assist Police with controlling the area.

Evacuated people are asked to either report to Saxton Stadium at Saxton Field, Main Road Stoke, or call Civil Defence on 03 543 8400 and register their details.

This is critically important so that authorities have the ability to contact you going forward.

Additionally, there are new areas in which residents should be preparing to evacuate.

This is south of the areas mentioned above in Wakefield.

Police are working with all agencies to conduct this evacuation and ensure residents are safe and informed.

Extra New Zealand Defence Force personel are assisting NZ Police with evacuations.

They, along with Police, are conducting door knocks and offering community reassurance.

All residents are asked to continue to follow advice issued by Civil Defence and take all precautions to ensure your safety.

Additional NZ Police staff, NDZF staff, and other agency staff supporting the evacaution process are being deployed to the Nelson area.

People need to refer to the Civil Defence website for an up to date map of the evacuated area, and the prepare-to-evacuate area.

State Highway 6 from Bartons Lane to Trass Valley Road will be closed later this evening on completion of the evacuations.

A diversion will be established on Kohatu Highway.

Further details will be on the Civil Defence website and information on NZTA.

Around 120 Police staff were deployed as part of the first phase of Wakefield evacuation.

Significant help has been provided by the NZ Defence Force and NZ SAR in this process.

Please refer to the Civil Defence website for up to date information, particuarly the map showing the evacuation, and the prepare-to-evacuate, area.

ENDS

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