Embers from an overnight fire that wasn’t properly extinguished caused significant damage to a popular Auckland bush track, forcing its closure.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) were called to a vegetation fire at Fairy Falls Track in the Waitākere Ranges Regional Park on November 2.
Firefighters hiked 25 minutes into the track to reach the blaze, which scorched an area about 150 by 75 metres — larger than a football field or three Olympic-sized swimming pools laid end to end.
FENZ said the damage was significant.
Auckland Council has yet to confirm the cause of damages from the fire.
Ranger Dave Markham said they believed the fire was lit near the falls the evening before and not fully extinguished.
“After smouldering overnight, embers then took hold in vegetation on Sunday morning near structures on the track and continued to spread,” Markham said.
A person walking the track on the Sunday saw the fire and immediately reported it to FENZ.
“A significant amount of damage had occurred by the time firefighters were able to control it,” Markham said.
Fairy Falls Track opened a year ago, after being closed for more than six years, to prevent the spread of kauri dieback disease through the ranges.
The council spent $1.6 million to renew it before its grand opening last September.
Fairy Falls reopened to the public last September, after six years of closure.
Markham said the fire destroyed a large platform near a popular swimming hole, as well as about 80m of stairs. It also damaged a bridge that crossed the waterfall.
“Over the past week, we have scoured the area to pick up nails, screws, bolts and steel balustrades so all damaged material can be removed.
“A bridge that allowed people to view Fairy Falls while crossing over the stream is no longer safe and will need to be airlifted from the site.”
A FENZ spokesperson said the fire was accidental, caused by a campfire reigniting overnight.
“This is a reminder to fully extinguish campfires before leaving,” they said.
Visitors are being urged to look after regional parks, and consider how their actions may impact on the tracks and others.
“Douse the campfire with lots of water – use enough to drown the campfire. Mix the ashes and embers with soil once cool, and check it’s completely out.”
Fairy Falls remains closed until the clean-up and assessment of damages is completed.
Markham said open fires at Auckland’s regional parks were banned.
“Our regional parks are precious taonga that we all have a responsibility to look after and protect for future generations.
“I strongly urge visitors to think about whether their actions may impact on how we care for these beautiful areas — please don’t ever light fires.”
He said the popular track closing so close to summer, their most busiest time of the year, was extremely disappointed.
“Fires in our regional parks are always devastating, but this one is particularly heart-breaking after all the work that went into renewing this track so we could reopen it last summer.”
LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
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