A review of firefighting efforts during the Tasman fires last summer, which cost Fire and Emergency New Zealand $13 million, has found shortfalls in the number of skilled staff working in risk management.
The fires, which began on February 5, started in Pigeon Valley near Nelson then went on to burn over 2300 hectares, including significant areas of pine plantation.
About 3000 people and 700 animals were evacuated and Civil Defence declared a state of emergency on February 6 which remained until the 27th.
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