Shane Jones

A total fire and equipment ban in the Nelson area has put up to 240 forestry contract workers out of jobs and closed two sawmills, with more closures threatened. Forestry Minister Shane Jones said today that industry sources estimate the cost to the sector of lost production and earnings is $2 million a day. About 1900ha of plantation forest is within the fire perimeter and expected to have been affected by fire. Jones was expecting to have more information about the exact area, age and condition of the forest by Friday. The fire and equipment ban is preventing forestry crews from working in forests outside the fire perimeter, he said. “The impact is on the whole forestry supply chain as logging and silviculture are halted, affecting sawmills, wood processors and log exports. This affects around 1500 people across the region,” Jones said.