Key Takeaways
- A fire broke out in a pine forest near Te Haroto, prompting a large-scale emergency response
- The cause of the fire is currently unknown, with approximately 20ha of pine forests burned
- Fire and Emergency personnel, along with forestry workers and helicopter operators, worked to contain the fire and establish a perimeter
- The fire spread into Department of Conservation (DoC) land, but the spread was minimal due to the efforts of emergency responders
- The Tūtira campground was evacuated, and rangers are assessing the damage and supporting suppression efforts
Introduction to the Incident
A resident of Napier Hill in Napier reported receiving an Emergency Mobile Alert just before 2am, which woke up her family. This alert was likely related to a fire that broke out in a pine forest near Te Haroto, about 50km from Napier. The fire prompted a significant emergency response, with multiple helicopters, trucks, and personnel deployed to the scene. On Monday, 45 personnel, including firefighters and forestry workers, remained at the scene, working with ground crews to establish a perimeter and contain the fire.
Emergency Response Efforts
The initial response to the fire included three helicopters, three urban pumping trucks, two tankers, and three rural vehicles. A Fire and Emergency spokesman explained that the goal of establishing a perimeter was to contain the fire within a specific area, allowing for full extinguishment. The spokesman stated that once the perimeter was established, the fire would be considered contained, and efforts could focus on fully extinguishing it. The emergency response efforts involved collaboration between Fire and Emergency personnel, forestry workers, and helicopter operators, all working together to minimize the spread of the fire.
Cause of the Fire and Damage Assessment
A Pan Pac spokeswoman reported that the cause of the fire was unknown, and an investigation would be conducted to determine the origin of the fire. Pan Pac had suspended forestry operations in its forests over the weekend, and approximately 20ha of pine forests had been burned. The fire spread across Pohukura Rd into Department of Conservation (DoC) land near the start of Bell Rock Loop Track. Pohokura Rd was closed, and campers and DoC workers were evacuated from the Bell Rock area. The exact extent of the fire and the damage it caused were still being assessed, with rangers expected to examine the area and support suppression efforts.
Department of Conservation Response
Kelly Eaton, DoC’s acting operations manager for the Hawke’s Bay District, stated that rangers were working to examine the damage and support suppression efforts. Eaton expressed gratitude for the efforts of Fire and Emergency, Pan Pac, helicopter operators, and the community, which had helped to minimize the spread of the fire within Public Conservation Land. The Tūtira campground was evacuated by police early on, although the exact number of campers evacuated was unclear. The campsite was later reopened, as there was no current risk. Eaton noted that the fire had entered the reserve, but the spread was minimal due to the emergency response efforts.
Conservation Concerns
The Boundary Stream Scenic Reserve and Maungaharuru Range are home to several threatened and taonga species. Roughly 300m from the fire edge is a predator-free exclosure that protects translocated Cook’s petrels. The petrels currently have nests with chicks, and rangers were checking on them following smoke exposure overnight. The fire’s impact on these species and the conservation efforts in the area was still being assessed, with rangers working to determine the extent of the damage and develop a plan to support the affected species.
Conclusion and Ongoing Efforts
The fire near Te Haroto highlighted the importance of emergency response efforts and collaboration between different agencies and stakeholders. The cause of the fire was still unknown, and an investigation would be conducted to determine the origin of the fire. The emergency response efforts had helped to minimize the spread of the fire, and rangers were working to assess the damage and support conservation efforts. The situation was being closely monitored, and updates would be provided as more information became available.
