Nelson's biggest international mountain bike race has been cancelled due to the ongoing bush fire. The inaugural Aorere Enduro, a four-day race involving close to 300 competitors, was due to begin on Thursday. It was included as a round of the Asia Pacific Continental Enduro Series, and drew participants from around the world. BRADEN FASTIER/STUFF Plumes of smoke cover Nelson and Tasman regions from a fire in Pigeon Valley. Ground crews and 16 helicopters are fighting the blaze, first called in about 2pm on Tuesday at Pigeon Valley, near Wakefield, about 30km southwest of Nelson.

Source: Stuff February 06, 2019 00:39 UTC