Incident controller Hamish Angus said the fire is not an immediate threat to people, homes, the smelter, or the Tiwai Bridge. Photo / Fire and Emergency NZ
Incident controller Hamish Angus said the fire is not an immediate threat to people, homes, the smelter, or the Tiwai Bridge. Photo / Fire and Emergency NZ
Ten helicopters continue to fight a large fire near Tiwai Point this afternoon.
The fire has burnt through 1200ha of vegetation today because of higher temperatures and wind.
The fire is not an immediate threat to people, homes or the smelter.
Eight firetrucks and 10 helicopters continue to battle a large fire near Tiwai Pt after it grew dramatically in size.
The fire on the Southland peninsula broke out last night and burnt through around 120ha of vegetation overnight.
But higher temperatures and wind speed this afternoon mean it has grown to 1200ha, with an 18km perimeter.
In an update on Thursday afternoon, Fire and Emergency New Zealand said firefighters will work until 6pm, then two crews will monitor the fire overnight. All crews will return at 7am to continue battling the fire.
Incident controller Hamish Angus said the fire is not an immediate threat to people, homes, the smelter, or the Tiwai Bridge.
“The Tiwai Bridge is closed to all traffic except our crews and the smelter staff, and we’re asking people to keep away from Tiwai Road so we can continue to work safely,” he said.
“We are working closely with mana whenua and the Department of Conservation, to ensure culturally and ecologically sensitive areas still threatened by the fire are prioritised for protection.”
The blaze at the bottom of the South Island has grown in size and burned through 1200ha across the centre of the peninsula with an 18km perimeter. Photo / Fire and Emergency NZ
Awarua Rūnaka manager Gail Thompson said she is deeply saddened at the damage caused in such a short time.
“This peninsula is a precious taonga, with a history going back a long way, which is important to Ngāi Tahu.”
Invercargill City councillor Alex Crackett said she was “heartbroken” after hearing about the fire.
“They have ground crews and aircraft working together to get it under control.
“Thankfully, the Tiwai smelter and nearby, distant homes are safe for now.”
She urged residents to stay away from the fire and said it was “crucial” to give firefighters space.
Department of Conservation’s operation manager for Murihiku, John McCarroll, said Awarua Peninsula has considerable environmental value, and today’s fire was a huge blow.
“Awarua has a significant number of biodiversity values and is used by a lot of wading birds for flocking and feeding, including the endangered Southern New Zealand dotterel/pukunui,” he said.
“As well as the loss of wildlife, we’ve also lost assets such as predator-trapping infrastructure.
“We will assess the losses once the fire is under control and we can return there safely. We may never know the full impact on biodiversity, but it is likely significant.”
