Civil Defence Update

A key priority for today is to develop a process to allow evacuated residents back into their homes where it is safe do so.

Planning is underway to reduce the cordoned area around the perimeter of the fire, and a decision on which cordons will be lifted is expected early this afternoon. A risk assessment is being done from the ground and in the air to map areas. Although there was drizzle this morning, wind is expected to increase this afternoon and any dampness will be dried out. There is still extreme heat in the ground and in vegetation which still poses a risk of flare ups.

Firefighting update

The fire at this stage is largely contained but not yet controlled. The fire area is not expanding and firefighters have made great progress in putting in fire breaks around the perimeter of the fire area. Today we have diggers working in several areas to create fire breaks. In those areas that diggers can’t access we’re focusing on dropping fire retardant to stop the spread of the fire. There’s still a lot of dry vegetation and areas of extreme heat within the fire ground, so there’s still a very real risk of flare-ups – especially with forecast north-east winds of up to 50km today.

Overall we’re starting to move from air-based to ground-based firefighting – water drops won’t put the fire out completely so we have to back that up with the heavy machinery to put fire breaks in and dig out the hot spots. That’s where a lot of our focus is today with diggers working at several locations, along with 15 helicopters and three fixed wing aircraft.

Education
Cashmere Primary School is closed again today.
Kidsfirst Cashmere Kindergarten is closed today.

Bus services
Blue Line - all trips will end at Princess Margaret Hospital, no trips will travel to Cashmere Hill.
145 Westmorland to Eastgate - all trips will end and start their trips on Rose St until further notice.

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