Firefighters battle out-of-control 1,000ha blaze in New Zealand’s Tongariro National Park
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Firefighters began battling the fire in Tongariro National Park on Nov 8, but firefighting efforts were suspended overnight for safety reasons.
SCREENSHOT: RNZ/OUTDOOR ACCESS
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- Wildfire in Tongariro National Park, New Zealand, has grown to over 1,000 hectares, according to Fire and Emergency New Zealand.
- Forty hikers were airlifted to safety on 8 November. No structures damaged or further evacuations reported.
- Firefighting resumed on 9 November with trucks, tankers, helicopters, and aircraft. A full day of operations is expected to control the fire.
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WELLINGTON – New Zealand firefighters have resumed battling an out-of-control wildfire in a national park in the country’s central North Island, which is now estimated to cover more than 1,000ha, Fire and Emergency New Zealand said on Nov 9.
Firefighters began battling the fire in Tongariro National Park, a popular hiking spot, on the afternoon of Nov 8 and around 40 hikers had to be airlifted to safety.
However, firefighting efforts were suspended overnight for safety reasons.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand assistant commander Nick West said in a statement the fire had grown overnight. There are no reports of structures being damaged or more people being evacuated.
He said an aerial reconnaissance on Nov 9 will confirm the extent of the fire.
Depending on what it shows, it is expected to take a full day of operations to bring the fire under control, he said.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand will have six fire trucks and five tankers on the ground, supported by six helicopters and two fixed-wing aircraft, the statement said. REUTERS
