The remaining controlled access cordons in the remaining Nelson have been lifted as firefighters working to control Nelson's Pigeon Valley fire erected a 30-metre "blackout zone" around the area.
Residents in Teapot, Eves and Redwood Valleys were informed of the news by email and text message, Nelson Tasman Civil Defence said in a statement.
"We've had 5mm of rain this morning, but with no follow-up rain expected in the near future, the fire risk across the region will continue to be extreme. Please stay prepared to evacuate should the need arise," Nelson Tasman Civil Defence controller Jim Frater said.
"As of Sunday afternoon, the fire is contained and controlled with a 30m boundary black-out (fire break) around the entire perimeter. Once the cordons are lifted, NZ Police will continue to monitor the valleys throughout the coming days and nights."
As of this morning, a 30-metre blackout line has been erected around 33.2km of the fire perimeter, as well as a 10-metre line around the remaining 2.2km, Fire and Emergency incident controller Rory Renwick said in a statement.
"We've achieved that blacked out area to 30m, around 93 per cent of the perimeter, and will be working to extend the 10m line out to 30m over the rest of today," Mr Renwick said.
A blackout zone refers to a cold area where no material is currently burning.
Overnight, crews using drones identified a hotspot which had flared up in the region, creating an active fire. The fire was subsequently extinguished.
However, people should remain cautious as the fire risk across the region is still high, and once the dampness of the rain has lifted, light fuels can dry out in less than a day, starting fires easily, he added.
"As a guide, think of clothes on a washing line. The vegetation is much the same so if your clothes dry, the vegetation will too."
Police will continue to monitor the valleys throughout the coming days and nights.
The State of Local Emergency will remain in place until Wednesday.
SHARE ME