Multiple fire crews and two helicopters fight large vegetation fire at Papaiti in rural Whanganui
By Eva de JongMultimedia journalist·Whanganui Chronicle·
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Save Whanganui fire crews have been fighting a large fire at Papaiti, aided by six rural firetrucks and two helicopters. Photo / Bevan Conley
Whanganui fire crews, two helicopters and four rural fire brigades have been battling a large vegetation fire in rural Whanganui since Monday evening.
The vegetation fire began at 7.30pm on Monday at the end of Papaiti Rd.
A Fire and Emergency NZ spokesperson said the crews arrived to find
“multiple seats of fire” in a pine slash and gorse area going up a hill.
Whanganui Fire Brigade senior station officer Shane Dudley said the height of the fire spread to 500 by 500 metres.
“This time of year things are fairly dry and, particularly the gorse, is relatively flammable.”