Source: Radio New Zealand
An aerial view of the Lismore Forest fire at 8am Monday 15 December 2025. Fire and Emergency NZ
Fire crews are working to contain two large fires in the central North Island.
The blaze at Lismore Forest near Parikino started on Sunday afternoon and was 100 hectares in size. It is now 75 percent contained, Fire and Emergency (FENZ) said.
Incident Controller Nigel Dravitzki said seven crews were working on the fire ground alongside two helicopters, heavy machinery, two water tankers, a command unit and operational support.
“Crews from across the region, from Wellington in the south, to Hastings in the east, are supporting our local crews from Manawatu-Whanganui,” Dravitzki said.
“Rainfall of approximately 6.5mm overnight has reduced fire activity significantly.”
The Department of Conservation, the New Zealand Defence Force and Red Cross have been supporting the efforts.
Further north, firefighters were working on a blaze that started on Monday afternoon at Waiinu Beach in south Taranaki.
Incident Controller, Assistant Commander Clive Lennox said a crew worked overnight to keep the fire contained.
“The fire hasn’t grown in size since yesterday, it’s still around 30 hectares and we have it 70 percent contained.”
Lennox said the response had been scaled down to two ground crews working alongside diggers and bulldozers.
He expected firefighters would be in the area for the next two days.
“Waiinu Beach Road is still closed from Silver Fern Farms Waitōtara to the turn-off to the Waiinu Beach settlement,” Lennox said.
“Please pay attention to the road signs, it’s for the safety of yourselves and our crews.”
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
