Rural Cantabrians have leaped to the aid of Nelson's farming community to replace vital animal feed destroyed in the ongoing fires. Huge amounts of grass and hay have been lost in the blaze, leaving farmers and cattle owners desperate for feed for their animals. Paule​ Crawford launched the appeal after speaking to a friend who was evacuated from her home in Pigeon Valley. SUPPLIED Hay is being transported from Canterbury after an appeal was launched by rural Cantabrians to help their counterparts in fire-stricken Nelson. But he said the extent of the fire's impact on the farming community was not yet clear, making it hard to know exactly what assistance was needed.

Source: Stuff February 10, 2019 05:03 UTC