The Kaimaumau fire as seen from the top of Puheke Maunga on Karikari Peninsula. Photo / Te Hiku Unseen
Instead of relaxing with family around the barbecue this Christmas some Northlanders will be immersed in mud and ash mopping up the region's biggest fire in at least a decade.
While the 2000ha Kaimaumau wetland fire is now contained and residents are back in their homes, the job of fully
extinguishing the blaze is expected to take weeks of hot, physically demanding work.
On Thursday five ground crews — comprising 25 Department of Conservation and forestry firefighters — were continuing to dampen down hot spots where peat fires were burning underground.
They were assisted by five helicopters equipped with monsoon buckets and nine bulldozers and excavators which were continuing to reinforce firebreaks, especially along the northern side of the fire.
