Fire crews and helicopters have spent hours trying to control a massive forestry and scrub fire in South Taranaki. The fire on Meremere Rd, east of Hāwera, is believed to be 20 hectares in size, equivalent to 20 sport fields. Source: Stuff NZ
The blaze was reported to Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Fenz) around 2.30pm on Sunday, and crews were still working to extinguish it at 6pm.
A resident, who did not want to be named, said she was packing her bags just in case she had to evacuate.
“I’m surrounded in smoke.”
She said there were a number of fire engines and two helicopters battling the blaze.
“I can hear them but I can’t see them.
“They’re doing a wonderful job.”
She and a number of other neighbours called the emergency services after attempting to phone the land owner.
There had been logging work happening on the site recently.
The resident said she was a little scared as she had family caught up in the Australia fires.
However, she said it looked to be “in hand”.
“As long as the wind dies down.”
The fire comes after farmers in parts of Taranaki said they were starting to feel the pain of the dry summer with no relief in sight.
Graphs on the Taranaki Regional Council website show rainfall at all its monitored sites was less than half the normal January total.
