Key Takeaways
- A fire has burned through 22 hectares of pine forest and native bush in Te Haroto, Hawke’s Bay
- The fire ground consists of 18 hectares of Pan Pac forest and four hectares of native bush on Department of Conservation (DoC) land
- 45 ground crew members, including firefighters and forestry workers, were fighting the blaze at its peak
- The cause of the fire is currently unknown
- Nearby roads and tracks have been closed or evacuated, including Pohokura Road and the Bell Rock Loop Track
- The fire is being closely monitored, with crews continuing to work on containing it and assessing the impact on local wildlife
Introduction to the Fire
The fire on Waitara Rd had burned through 22 hectares of bush, with the fire ground consisting of 18 hectares of Pan Pac forest and four hectares of native bush on Department of Conservation (DoC) land, north of Napier. According to Tony Kelly, acting district manager for Hawke’s Bay, the fire was a significant one, with 45 ground crew members, made up of firefighters and forestry workers, fighting the blaze at its peak. The fire was fueled by high temperatures in the region, which had reached the mid-30s over the weekend, and was also affected by windy conditions.
Firefighting Efforts
Due to the presence of powerlines, a helicopter was not an option for fighting the fire, but a digger was used to create a firebreak. The fire slowed down overnight as the weather cooled, but it remained quite windy, and Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) was analyzing weather forecasts for the next few days to plan their approach. An emergency mobile alert (EMA) was sent out to all campers and DoC workers in the area on Sunday, and one house was evacuated overnight. The occupant has since returned home, and the EMA has been recinded, but Kelly urged people to stay away from the area as it could be reinstated at any time.
Impact on Local Residents and Wildlife
The cause of the fire is not known at this stage, and about 40 crew members will continue to work on containing the fire today. Pohokura Road remains closed from the Tutira end, and nearby State Highway 5 remains open, according to NZTA. Kelly Eaton, DoC’s acting operations manager for the Hawke’s Bay district, said that two houses and an office, which make up their base, were close to the fire, but no staff or volunteers were on-site at the time the fire broke out. Eaton also said that firefighters and neighbors had checked the Bell Rock Loop Track, part of the Boundary Stream Scenic Reserve, and confirmed that there were no people present there either.
Conservation Efforts
The fire was just 300 meters away from the predator-proof fenced site on the ridge, which currently hosts Cook’s petrel chicks. Fortunately, the site was not directly impacted, but DoC will be checking the chicks following smoke exposure. The Tūtira campground was evacuated by police early on, but has since reopened. Roadblocks remain in place near Opouahi Scenic Reserve and the Waitara/Pohokura road junction. Pan Pac was approached for comment, but no statement has been released yet. The fire highlights the importance of conservation efforts and the need to protect native wildlife and their habitats.
Conclusion and Next Steps
The fire in Te Haroto, Hawke’s Bay, is a significant one, and crews are working hard to contain it and assess the impact on local wildlife. The cause of the fire is still unknown, and investigations are ongoing. In the meantime, nearby roads and tracks remain closed, and people are urged to stay away from the area. The fire serves as a reminder of the importance of fire safety and the need for vigilance, especially during periods of high temperatures and windy conditions. As the situation continues to unfold, it is essential to stay informed and follow the instructions of local authorities to ensure public safety.