Offensive firefighting efforts will resume this morning after a massive blaze in Tongariro National Park burned through more than 2500ha.
The large fire on the Central Plateau broke out on Saturday, triggering evacuations of trampers and residents, including Whakapapa Village.
As of Sunday night, the fire was estimated to have burnt about 2500 hectares and was 20% contained, FENZ said.
Assistant Commander Craig Gold said the evacuation of the Whakapapa Village was complete shortly after 9.30pm last night, with police checking properties to ensure that everyone had left.
Firefighting efforts were suspended overnight, but FENZ said offensive firefighting will resume this morning with both air and ground operations planned.
Gold has reiterated the advice to people living in the vicinity of the fireground, that they stay alert to the fire, with information updated regularly by media and on Fire and Emergency’s District Facebook page.
“The Manawatu-Whanganui Emergency Management Group is providing support for people in the community who are affected by the fire. Call 06 3528750 to reach their Horizons Welfare Line for advice and support.
‘Huge scale’ – Ruapehu District Mayor
Ruapehu District Mayor Weston Kirton told Breakfast there were about 13 helicopters, and three fixed wind aircraft putting water onto the “huge fire”.
“But the situation will be helped if we do get some rain, which is predicted. But if the winds change to a different direction, it can go all ways, and that’s a concern to everyone,” he said.
Kirton said his biggest concern was the sheer scale of the blaze.
“Well, it’s this huge scale. I was able to go up in the fixed wing aircraft with the mayor of Taupō John Funnell and we’re able to see above all the activity it was just huge.
“It was just a big ring of fire just consuming as the hours went on, it just got worse and it started off, we thought 100 hectares was huge, but now we’re talking thousands of hectares, and that’s just alarm bells for us in terms of the damage and reconstruction, the destruction that’s caused the development of conservation land.”
He said there was no fire ban in place when the fire started, and it wasn’t exactly clear how it began.
“It was on the near the highway, so we can only speculate that there was some activity that went on down that road in State Highway 47, but it’s under investigation, the police are on hand, of course, just to try and hand fire crews there just to see what actually did happen.”
“It’s business as usual for most parts of the Ruapehu course but in the northern part of the Mountain District Park Waimarino it’s a no-go zone, of course, for any hiking or cycling or any activity along that road.
He urged people to stay away from the park and reschedule their tourism plans.
“But we’re just trying to get people to understand that this is an emergency situation until we get clarity as to when the fire is completely out.”
Road closures continue
New Zealand Transport Agency said SH47 remained closed between the intersections of SH4 and SH4 this morning due to the large scrub fire in Tongariro National Park.
SH48 was also closed.
“Continue to avoid the area and detour via SH1 Desert Rd or use an alternate route,” it said online.
