Fire service tackles remote forest blaze

Three helicopters and at least seven fire units were today tackling a blaze in a remote forest west of Napier.

The fire was thought to have been first noticed by a truck driver in the Puketitiri area, who reported to rural fire officers he could see smoke in the area of Huiarangi Road, Patoka, about 6.30am.

Jocelyn Murphy, of Huiarangi Road, said she and husband Mark were asked to investigate, drove into the neighbouring privately-owned Yateman Forest, and saw flames in the tree tops as they turned a corner.

"We decided to get out," she said.

The discovery resulted in a major alert and two Fire Service units from 55km away in Napier, one from Bay Forests at Bay View, one from the Heretaunga Rural Fire Force in Hastings, and others from the volunteer rural fire forces at Patoka and Rissington were called in, along with three helicopters.

Rural Fire Force and Hastings District Council spokesman Kevin Deacon said just after 9.30am that a reconnaissance flight over the area which is at altitude of about 350 metres revealed about 5ha of the forest was involved in a slow-moving fire.

The fire was under control, but Mr Deacon said a long "mop-up" operation was expected, and crews were being arranged to spend tonight in the area.

Water was being drawn from dams in the area, and the fire was being attacked from the air, Mr Deacon said.

The forest, thought to be up to 400ha, is owned by an absentee American.

- NZPA