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Extreme fire risk has forced authorities to close the roads that wind through New Zealand’s largest farm.
The Acheron Rd, through the South Island’s Molesworth Station, will shut down from February 10, Stuff reports. Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) reportedly advised that the fire risk had become extremely high in South Marlborough, particularly in Molesworth.
“Having received advice from FENZ, we agree that the fire risk is becoming too high and protecting the values of Molesworth are paramount,” Department of Conservation South Marlborough operations manager Phil Bradfield said. “Fire is a major threat to all the values of Molesworth, and movement of people and vehicles adds considerably to the fire risk.
“We need to eliminate those risks, and the best way to do that is to close the road,” he noted.
Bradfield outlined the biggest fire threats to the region including hot engines stopping on the side of the road, drivers who smoke and throw cigarette butts out on to the side of the road and people stopping for a picnic and who kick up camp cookers.
Signage warning motorists of the closure will be placed at the Hanmer Springs and State Highway 1 turnoffs. The road could reopen if Molesworth sees rain in the next month, or if fire levels drop below certain trigger points, he added.
