A massive fire in Tongariro National Park has expanded to 1600 hectares, forcing new evacuations as crews battle the blaze by air and land. Reported by Stuff.
Fire and Emergency NZ (FENZ) said the fire grew rapidly from 1100 hectares on Sunday morning. Assistant commander Craig Gold noted that aerial operations were proving more effective than ground efforts due to the difficult terrain.
Eight helicopters and three planes are now water-bombing the area, while several lodges and camps — including Hillary Outdoors Education Centre, Maungatepopo School Camp, Old Mill, Taurewa Lodge, and Avondale College Lodge — have been evacuated as a precaution.
FENZ crews with six trucks and six tankers continue working along the fire’s flanks to contain the spread.
Trampers evacuated
On Saturday, 43 trampers and a hut warden were evacuated from the popular Tongariro Crossing track and on Sunday morning nine trampers were evacuated by foot and vehicle from the Waihohonu Hut, DOC said.
People are asked to stay away from the area, including Whakapapa and the section of the Northern Circuit accessible from Desert Road. The Tongariro Crossing and Northern Circuit, and other tracks and huts in the area including day walks from Whakapapa Village, will be closed for at least Sunday and Monday, DOC said.
The fire has been burning in the Mangetepopo Valley area and it’s too early to say if it has caused any damage to the tracks in the area. At this stage there are no reports of damaged huts or structures, DOC said.
DOC expected there to be significant biodiversity impacts and said the Mangatepopo Valley area was an important alpine ecosystem.
Rāhui placed on area
Local iwi Ngāti Hikairo ki Tongariro has placed two rāhui on the region. One covers the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. This will remain in place for a week, "allowing time for the maunga and its pathways to rest and recover,“ an iwi spokesperson said.
The second rāhui applies to the burnt areas where the fires have damaged the whenua and native vegetation. This rāhui will remain in place for an extended period while the vegetation regrows.
‘Hellscape’
There have been no further evacuations or injuries and no buildings or structures have been damaged.
Lakeview Helicopters pilot Mark Williams, who was helping battle the blaze, said he was hopeful that it could be brought under control on Sunday.
The fire was still moving north, he said, but conditions were not too windy. Thick smoke was carpeting the area, he added.
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