Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand
Precautionary evacuations of five facilities in the vicinity of the Tongariro fire are almost complete. They are the Hillary Outdoors Education Centre, the Maungatepopo School Camp, the Old Mill, the Taurewa Lodge and the Avondale College Lodge.
Fire and Emergency Assistant Commander Craig Gold says additional aircraft are being used to fight the fire, with five fixed wing and 12 helicopters being deployed. Most of these are already in action, with a small number still en route. One of the helicopters is being used to direct the air attack, while the others are waterbombing the fire.
Four fire crews are carrying out firefighting on the ground with additional crews supporting the aircraft operations.
“We are prioritising the air operations for safety reasons and because of their effectiveness in this terrain and over a large fire front,” Craig Gold says.
The fire is currently 1600 hectares and as yet not controlled.
Specialist fire investigators from Fire and Emergency and Police are working to establish the cause of the fire.
Fire and Emergency is working with Police, Iwi, DOC and local council civil defence staff to ensure the community is safe. Residents in the area should take stay alert to the fire, with information updated regularly by media and on Fire and Emergency’s Manawatu-Whanganui District Facebook page www.facebook.com/ManawatuWhanganuiFENZ/ . Local councils and DOC are also sharing information.
Anyone within the area affected by smoke should keep doors and windows shut to minimise exposure. Residents who feel unsafe or are vulnerable to smoke are encouraged to self-evacuate and stay with family or friends.
SH47 Waimarino to Tongariro remains closed between the intersections with SH48 and SH46 with no detours available.
DOC has closed the Tongariro Crossing and associated areas.
A no fly zone is in place covering the airspace over the fireground and surrounding area, so that firefighting aircraft are not endangered by other aircraft or drones.
