Trees on power lines start fire in vegetation

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Firefighters were called to Wharekopae Road on Wednesday evening after power lines began arcing on some overhanging trees, and sparks set fire to vegetation underneath.

The call came in at around 6.15pm that night, to a spot about 14 kilometres up Wharekopae Road.

“It was only a small fire and it was put out quickly,” a senior firefighter said.

“But where it happened was right next to a forestry block.

“So those overhanging branches will need to be cleared from the power lines.”