Naseby Forest target of training exercise

Firefighting and evacuation plans in the event of a fire in the Naseby Forest are discussed by Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Fenz) air attack supervisor Kerry O'Neill (left) and Central Otago deputy principal rural fire officer Bobby Lamont during a firefighting training exercise in Clyde this week.

Sixty Fenz, Department of Conservation, forestry, Civil Defence and Emergency Management Otago personnel from throughout Otago and Southland are taking part in the exercise, which is based at the Clyde rural fire depot and involves a simulated fire in the Naseby Forest.

Event facilitator Jamie Cowan, of Wildfire Management NZ, said special tactical plans were already in place for Naseby, but the annual training exercises provided additional valuable experience for participants.