A fire that raged across 60ha of a Coromandel forest is under control, with ground crews today dealing with the remaining four or five spots still burning.
Jason Syme, spokesman for the owner, a joint venture involving United States forestry company Rayonier, Deutsche Bank and AMP, said light
rain overnight had helped firefighting efforts at Matariki Forest.
He said helicopters used yesterday were not needed today.
"There's just a couple of ground crews continuing mopping up," he said.
"The fire was under control yesterday as far as being contained. There are some areas still burning, but they are well isolated and in no danger of progressing further."
Mr Syme said the situation would be monitored for the rest of the week.
"For the four or five spots that are remaining, we will to some extent leave them to burn out, but also douse them with water."
Mr Syme said the financial impact would be minimal, as the mature trees in the area had already been harvested.
He said it was possible the fire started in a location burned off after harvest and strong winds could have reignited a hot spot.
Ironically, the forest, previously owned by Carter Holt Harvey, would be easier to replant after the fire.
Mr Syme said just 25ha had been replanted with pine trees but they were only one-year-old trees.
The fire was reported about 3pm on Friday in an area on Staircase Rd, in Opoutere, between Whangamata and Pauanui.
The blaze was visible from State Highway 25 and the township of Pauanui.
- NZPA
