Firefighters, backed by four helicopters, continue to battle a large vegetation fire at Tongaririo National Park that broke out yesterday afternoon.
Emergency services were called to the blaze just after 1.10pm yesterday, where Fire and Emergency NZ said multiple fires had merged into a single large one.
In an update this morning, Incident Controller Assistant Commander Renee Potae said the fire was 50% contained and remained at 322 hectares with an 8.5km perimeter.
FENZ said 30 firefighters were on the ground this morning, joined by four helicopters in the air carrying monsoon buckets. A full incident management team was also at the scene.
Emergency services were alerted to the fire, near the site of a blaze in November, just after 1.10pm on Monday. (Source: Supplied)
Potae said conditions had been favourable overnight, with crews needing to deal with just one hot spot.
The fire which broke out yesterday was in close proximity to another wildfire which devastated parts of the national park last month. A total of 3000 hectares were scorched in the blaze, leaving much of the landscape blackened.
Potae said yesterday's fire had been contained on the northern flank where it meets the area burnt by last month's fire. However, the wind was forecast to change direction and push the fire towards unburnt vegetation, potentially causing flare-ups in the areas burnt yesterday.
"We have planned for that and are consolidating that flank," Potae said.
State Highway 47 from Waimarino to Tongariro was closed between the intersections of SH46 and SH48.
"We ask people to stay well away from the area and respect all road closures and detours," FENZ said.
Manawhenua Ngāti Hikairo and the Department of Conservation were "working closely" with the incident management team.
"There is a high level of interest from the community, and particularly all those who were significantly impacted by the last fire."
DOC last night said it had cancelled all bookings for the Mangatepopo Hut, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, and the Tongariro Northern Circuit until tomorrow.
"We’ve also suggested visitors may wish to leave the Whakapapa Village area for their safety," DOC Operations Manager Libby O’Brien said.
The crossing would be closed today
"We are working hard to ensure anyone who is currently in Tongariro National Park is aware of the fire and is able to return home safely."
O’Brien said there was no information on damage yet.
“We aren’t aware of any structural damage, though we anticipate significant impacts on biodiversity in the affected area. These are things we’ll work through once the fire is controlled.”
As of last night, a rāhui remained in place.
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