| Pigeon Valley Fire | |
|---|---|
 Map showing the location of Pigeon Valley in red, nearby Wakefield | |
| Date(s) | 5 February 2019 – 6 March 2019 |
| Location | Tasman District, New Zealand |
| Coordinates | 41°22′S 173°00′E / 41.37°S 173.00°E |
| Statistics | |
| Burned area | 2,400 ha (18 February)[1] |
| Impacts | |
| Structures destroyed | One home |
| Ignition | |
| Cause | Machinery spark [2] |
The Pigeon Valley Fire was a wildfire in the Tasman District and briefly the largest wildfire in New Zealand history before being surpassed by the Lake Ōhau Fire a year later.
The fire began on the afternoon of 5 February following a spark caused by farming equipment. Very dry drought conditions saw it grow rapidly and it soon began threatening the town of Wakefield forcing a major evacuation of its three thousand residents .[3]
It was declared to be under control on 6 March and by 8 July had been deemed to be "well and truly under control" but was thought to be likely still be smoldering in places after having been left to burn itself out.[4]
- ^ "Tasman fire: Government announces more aid for clean-up". RadioNZ – radionz.co.nz. 18 February 2019. Retrieved 24 February 2019.
- ^ "Pigeon Valley fire cause confirmed as sparks from disc plough". 13 August 2019.
- ^ "Tasman fires: Nelson, Wakefield evacuated; Pigeon Valley residents must leave homes as fears wind may fan blaze". The New Zealand Herald. 8 February 2019. Retrieved 9 February 2019.
- ^ "Pigeon Valley fire well and truly under control, but likely still smoldering in spots". Stuff.co.nz. 8 July 2019. Retrieved 9 July 2019.