A grass fire that started just before midday on Mt Stewart at Taihape, adjacent to Mataroa Rd/SH1 is still burning. A helicopter is helping to fight the fire which has taken hold in local replanted indigenous trees and shrubs.
The Taihape Kindergarten was evacuated at 12.30pm. Fire teams from Ohakune, Waiouru and Rangiwahia are at the scene.
UPDATE
The Whanganui Fire Service have sent their command unit with a team of four and its compressed air foam truck with containers of foam, to the fire. The foam is used by rural firefighters.
All fire trucks between Wanganui and Taihape are at the fire on Mt Stewart north of the town, which started just before midday today.
