Residents are returning home after a large vegetation fire burned through 3.5 kilometres of shelter belt in the Western Bay of Plenty this afternoon.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand were called following reports of numerous shelter belts on fire near Snodgrass Rd in Te Puna around 3.20pm.
“Multiple shelter belts are on fire, but the fire is currently contained to the area,” Fire and Emergency said in an update this evening.
Ten properties were evacuated.
Sixteen fire crews and multiple support vehicles would be working to extinguish the fire overnight. A helicopter would provide assistance with firefighting efforts until twilight.
“The fire has been contained within a large boundary, and crews are working to extinguish it,” Fire and Emergency said.
Earlier today, Bay of Plenty Fire and Emergency said evacuations were underway “with a number of properties under threat from fire”.
“People are advised to avoid the area to allow Fire and Emergency crews to fight the fire.
“If your home is impacted by smoke, please keep your windows and doors closed, and turn off any air conditioning units.”
Evacuations are underway in Te Puna this afternoon. (Source: Supplied)
Police advised the community to avoid the immediate area while Fire and Emergency services tackled the blaze.
Snodgrass Rd was blocked but is due to reopen later this evening.
One Snodgrass Rd resident told 1News strong wind was blowing, bringing “a risk the fire could jump across” the road.
“A lot of shelter belts have been cut in the area recently, so they’ll just light up straight away.
“There’s a lot of kiwifruit orchards in the area, so that’ll be worrying for the owners.”
An owner of the Tauranga Christmas Tree Farm told 1News they were waiting for some customers when a person came in and informed them about the nearby blaze. The owner also noted the winds had been gusty all day.
Firefighters worked swiftly to contain the fire neighbouring orchards in Western Bay of Plenty. (Source: Supplied)
