GLENORCHY ROAD CLOSED BY FIRE!

Jan 11, 2017

A large scrub fire is burning along the Glenorchy Road, west of Queenstown, cutting electricity to Glenorchy and closing the road.

Glenorchy Road Fire Update #4

0750, Wednesday 11 January 2017

A fire burning across the Glenorchy Road west of Queenstown could take several days to fully extinguish, but all efforts are being made to reopen the road later today.

Deputy Rural Fire Officer Jamie Cowan, of the Otago Rural Fire Authority, said that several helicopters and 50 firefighters are battling the fire, which started by the lake at Rat Point around midnight. It has crossed the road and is now burning across an estimated 50ha of scrub and trees up Jessie Peak, above the Glenorchy Road.

“We are hitting it hard with all the resources we have available because the forecast is for winds to pick up this afternoon, with no rain expected before midnight tonight,” Mr Cowan said.

He estimated it could take three-to-five days to put the fire out. At present the fire is still burning on both sides of the road but its progress has slowed and there are no evacuations required – the nearest communities are Bob’s Cove and Closeburn Station, about 2km away.

Once the fire is out in the immediate vicinity of the Glenorchy road, the road and the slope above will be inspected to ensure no rocks or debris have been dislodged by the fire. 

Mr Cowan anticipated that the road could reopen this afternoon – there will be a better idea of timing later this morning.

In the meantime, access to Glenorchy is by boat across Lake Wakatipu. Power to the head of the lake has also been cut by the fire.

A further update will be issued at 9.00am.

ENDS

Issued by Michele Poole, Duty Public Information Manager, on the authority of Jamie Cowan, Incident Commander.

Media contact: Michele Poole 0278398306

 

Glenorchy Road Fire Update #3

0645, Wednesday 11 January 2017

A large scrub fire is burning across about 50ha of land on Jessie Peak above Rat Point on the Glenorchy Road between Queenstown and Glenorchy.

The road remains closed and power is cut to Glenorchy.

Deputy Rural Fire Officer Jamie Cowan, of the Otago Rural Fire Authority, said that in the last hour the fire had reached the ridgeline at the top of the slope above the road and its progress has slowed down. That has reduced the threat to communities, with the nearest houses about 2km away. At this stage no evacuations are required but residents of the communities of Bob’s Cove and Closeburn Station have been alerted.

Several helicopters with monsoon buckets joined the operation at daybreak and there are 50 personnel from rural fire and NZ Fire Service crews around Otago on the ground.

A further update will be issued at 7.30am.

ENDS

Photos attached are from the Otago Rural Fire Authority and show the fire around 3.30am.

Issued by Michele Poole, Duty Public Information Manager, on the authority of Jamie Cowan, Incident Commander.

Media contact: Michele Poole 0278398306

 

Glenorchy Road Fire Update #2

0540, Wednesday 11 January 2017

Road access between Queenstown and Glenorchy has been cut by a large scrub fire on the Glenorchy Road, west of Queenstown. 

The fire has also cut electricity to Glenorchy.

Deputy Rural Fire Officer Jamie Cowan, of the Otago Rural Fire Authority, said around 50 fire crew were fighting the fire and seven helicopters will be deployed from daybreak.

At this stage no evacuations have been required but residents of the communities of Bob’s Cove and Closeburn Station have been alerted.

Mr Cowan said the Glenorchy Road would remain closed indefinitely today, from Bob’s Point to Mt Creighton. At this stage there is no indication of how long it will be before power can be restored to Glenorchy.

A further update will be issued at 6.30am.

ENDS

Issued by Michele Poole, Duty Public Information Manager, on the authority of Jamie Cowan, Incident Commander.

Media contact: Michele Poole 0278398306

 

Glenorchy Road Fire Update #1

0435, Wednesday 11 January 2017

Deputy Rural Fire Officer Jamie Cowan, of the Otago Rural Fire Authority, said the fire began beside the lake edge about 10km west of Sunshine Bay around midnight and has spread uphill and to the east, burning through scrub and trees.

Five crews from Queenstown, Frankton, Arrowtown, Glenorchy, Kingston and Alexandra have been brought in. Mr Cowan said helicopters with monsoon buckets would be deployed from daybreak.

Residents in the vicinity have been alerted but at this stage no evacuations have been ordered.

Mr Cowan said the Glenorchy Road would remain closed indefinitely today, from Bob’s Point to Mt Creighton. At this stage there is no indication of how long it will be before power can be restored to Glenorchy.

A further update will be issued at 5.30am.

ENDS

Issued by Michele Poole, Duty Public Information Manager, on the authority of Jamie Cowan, Incident Commander.

Media contact: Michele Poole 0278398306 

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