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The army has suspended all training involving live ammunition in the Waiouru area after a fire in the area.
Four civilian helicopters took to the air at first light to the fire in the army training grounds near the Desert Road.
The blaze has so far destroyed 800 hectares of tussock, scrub and flax, but Army spokesman Dave Courtney said it was now under control.
"It naturally came under control last night. In the last report I got three sides were under control. The fourth is burning slowly into the wind and it's pretty green vegetation," Mr Courtney said.
He said discussions were under way yesterday to suspend live-fire training in the area before the fire started.
Lieutenant Colonel Simon Reynolds said fires in the training area were not uncommon but this was a large fire.
"It is very dry here at the moment and we are working to minimise and mitigate the risk of fire. Restrictions have been placed on the activities that can be carried out in the training area and we have the option to suspend all training should conditions worsen," he said.
Helicopters are fighting the fire from the air while 30 people monitor hotspots.
Mr Courtney earlier said he was not sure of the exact cause of the fire but it was set off during a training exercise.
Roads in the area acted as fire breaks.
"It's just tussock and scrub around that area," Mr Courtney said.
- NZPA / NZPA
