Drones with thermal imaging equipment will survey a vegetation fire on the Coromandel Peninsula tonight to identify deep seated pockets where the fire is burning, which firefighters will attack tomorrow.
Multiple crews and helicopters continued to battle the vegetation fire today on the Coromandel Peninsula, after it was brought under control yesterday — but fully extinguishing the blaze was likely to take “several days”.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) said Black Jack Rd will open for access tonight once crews have stood down for the night, but stop/go traffic will resume in the morning to ensure safety to firefighters and the public.
Firefighters were first called to the scene on Black Jack Rd in Kūaotunu shortly before 4pm on Saturday.
Yesterday, FENZ said the blaze had been brought under control but was not yet contained.
In an update on Monday evening, incident controller Shane Bromley said the process of fully extinguishing the fire was likely to take a few more days.
“Conditions will be arduous for the firefighters, working on steep slopes in high temperatures. Tomorrow they will be supported by two helicopters with monsoon buckets, which will focus on the western flank that is inaccessible on the ground.”
Firefighters from the Department of Conservation would return to the fire ground tomorrow along with members of the Kuaotuna Volunteer Fire Brigade.
Earlier, FENZ said crews were making “steady progress” strengthening the containment lines on the flanks of the fire.
It said four crews were fighting the fire on the eastern and southern flanks and three helicopters were attacking the fire on the steep and inaccessible western flank.
Incident controller Shane Bromley said weather conditions were relatively favourable this morning but will be more challenging Monday afternoon and tomorrow — with higher temperatures, lower relative humidity and stronger winds.
Safety of firefighters and the public remained the top priority.
“The walking track through the fireground will remain closed until the fire is fully extinguished.”
Bromley added FENZ was working closely with iwi and the Department of Conservation, and 11 DOC firefighters were working on the fireground today.
Earlier, Bromley said the fire had not grown overnight and that conditions were “calm” on the ground. Winds were expected to pick up during the day.
Bromley added air crews would focus on the fire’s western flank today, which was on “steep and inaccessible terrain”.
“Ground crews will continue to work mopping up hotspots on the eastern and southern fronts.”
Bromley said restricted access to the area had allowed crews to move safely in the area without risking encounters with the public.
It was not yet known how the fire started, but an investigation would take place to determine the cause.
