Rural fire crews fighting large fire in pine trees near Bulls

Multiple rural fire crews are battling a large fire among pine trees at Parewanui near Bulls.

The fire began on Wednesday afternoon.

About 11 fire crews were sent to the spreading fire which, at its most intense, stretched to about a hectare.

The fire started about 4.45pm on Wednesday and it was contained but not fully out on Thursday morning.

Fire and Emergency NZ shift manager Murray Dunbar said the fire was among 10-year-old standing pines and its location had made it difficult for firefighters to access.

Dunbar said fire crews were still in attendance and “probably would be for most of the day”.

“Ground crews are working on mopping up and extinguishing hot spots with an excavator,” he said.

Ruapehu crews tame small vegetation fire

Rural firefighters dealt with a small vegetation fire on Waitea Branch Rd, Kakahi, in the Ruapehu District on Wednesday night.

Three rural fire crews from Ōwhango, Manunui and Ruapehu were called to the job at about 9pm.

Dunbar said the scrub fire stretched to about 10m by 10m.

“It was smouldering upon arrival and they extinguished it.”

Crews tackled the blaze for about an hour before fully extinguishing it, he said.

Eva de Jong is a reporter for the Whanganui Chronicle covering health stories and general news. She began as a reporter in 2023.