Multiple crews and helicopters continued to battle a vegetation fire on the Coromandel Peninsula this morning after it was brought under control yesterday.
Firefighters were called to the scene on Black Jack Rd in Kūaotunu shortly before 4pm Saturday.
Yesterday, Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) said the blaze had been brought under control but was not yet contained.
In an update this morning, FENZ incident controller Shane 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.
Four crews of firefighters, supported by three helicopters, were back at the scene this morning.
Bromley said 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.
Black Jack Road would be under traffic management today with managed convoys in and out of the area, providing access for residents and those with essential business in the area.
Bromley said restricted access to the area had allowed Cres to move safely in the area without risking encounters with the public.
Yesterday, Bromley said it was not known how the fire started, but an investigation would take place to determine the cause.
Photos from the scene Saturday showed smoke billowing from the blaze.
