Source: Radio New Zealand
Firefighters are battling another blaze in Tongariro National Park. Supplied / Shane Isherwood
Fire and Emergency (FENZ) fears a wind change forecast for Tuesday morning at Tongariro National Park could cause flare-ups, as it battles a major blaze.
Crews have been at the site overnight.
The fire started on Monday – one month after a blaze covering almost 3000 hectares ripped through the park.
FENZ Incident Controller, Assistant Commander Renee Potae, said the latest fire had burned 322ha of alpine vegetation and was 50 percent contained on Monday night.
“Fortunately, the fire has moved towards the area which was burnt last month, and this has enabled the aircraft to contain the southern flank of the fire.”
But she said the wind change could push the fire into unburnt vegetation.
Fire crews from across the country are on standby to help.
Alpine Crossing closed
The Department of Conservation (DoC) has closed the Tongariro Alpine Crossing as firefighters battle the blaze.
In a statement, the DoC said it had cancelled bookings for Mangatepopo Hut, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, and the Tongariro Northern Circuit on Tuesday as a precaution.
It also suggested visitors should leave the Whakapapa Village area for their safety.
DoC said it was not aware of any structural damage, but anticipated significant impacts on biodiversity in the affected area.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for mana whenua, Te Rūnanganui o Ngāti Hikairo ki Tongariro, said the fire had been deeply felt across the hapū.
“Tongariro is our living ancestor – the foundation of our whakapapa, and the spiritual and cultural heart of Ngāti Hikairo. To see fire return to this area so soon after the last major event is emotionally heavy for our people.”
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
