Source: Radio New Zealand
The fire at the Tongariro National Park destroyed 3000 hectares before rain dampened the blaze. Fire and Emergency NZ
A Tongariro local who leapt into action at the weekend did not sleep for the first 30 hours of the devastating wildfire in the area.
The blaze torched almost 3000 hectares in the national park, with numerous volunteers supporting firefighters and the department of conservation.
Bubs Smith – from hapu Ngāti Hikairo ki Tongariro – told Checkpoint that after the fire was doused from the air, firefighters wanted to create a firebreak.
He said local digger operators, who understood the importance of the whenua, were tasked with the job.
“It was a tough decision when you’ve got a world heritage park that’s recognised for both its natural and cultural values, to get a 40-tonne digger and bulldozer to put those in.”
Combined Fire and Emergency and Department of Conservation (DOC) crews were continuing to dampen down hotspots today.
Smith said DOC rangers were happy today after finding far fewer hotspots than expected.
“That was really, really positive.”
The Tongariro Alpine Crossing and tracks in the vicinity of Whakapapa Village remain closed until at least Monday next week.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
