Strong winds are expected to fan fires that have been burning for a week through New Zealand's South Island, forcing thousands of people from their homes, with more residents expected to flee. The Pigeon Valley fire covers 2300 hectares, with a 25km perimeter, NZ Civil Defence said in a statement. "There is some concern about predicted high winds this afternoon, which are expected to test the control lines," the agency said. Up to 3000 people have been forced to leave the Wakefield and Pigeon Valley areas, NZ Civil Defence Controller Roger Ball told a news conference on Saturday. Hundreds of volunteer and professional firefighters, police, civil defence and military personnel are battling the fires.

Source: Ethiopian News February 10, 2019 01:52 UTC