Pipiriki on Fire
Contact:
Connie Norgate
|
Whanganui Area Office
|
|
Phone:
|
+64 6 349 2100
|
|
Fax:
|
+64 6 348 8095
|
|
Email:
|
WhanganuiArea@doc.govt.nz
|
|
Address:
|
34-36 Taupo Quay
Whanganui 4500
|
|
Postal Address:
|
Private Bag 3016
Whanganui 4540
|
Date: 13 February 2008
On Tuesday the 5 February early in the evening, Pipiriki locals alerted the Department of Conservation to a fire that was burning close to the village.
DOC field centre staff based in Pipiriki along with Winstone Pulp started work on the fires at first light on the 6th as the safety of the village was potentially under threat. Initially 4 helicopters from Wanganui Aero Works and Hill Country Helicopters tackled the fire then crews were sent in from Taumarunui, Whanganui, Wellington, Pohangina, Mangaweka, Murupara and Tauranga to help.
Fighting these has been a joint effort with the Pipiriki community, DOC and Winstone Pulp. The Army have also been involved, with the use of their 4x4 water tanker. There was also a lot of support received by the local Police and the Volunteer Fire Brigade from Raetihi.
Another fire broke out on the evening of Saturday 9 February just as the fire crew were thinking that the first fire was under control. The second fire was all but tackled by Sunday.
Debra Burgin from DOC in Wellington came in on Monday to help with the clean up and was able to see first hand the devastation of the fires while taking aerial photos. "It was really sad to see the burned area as there are lots of really dense areas to get into which can make the fires difficult to fight. You get a real sense of how dangerous the work can be for the ground crew"
DOC and Winstones held a hui with members of the community who were concerned when they realised how close the fires were to their homes. DOC and Winstones are looking at ways to improve communication about fire risks during dry periods.
The last of the crew left Pipiriki yesterday afternoon. The field centre team will continue monitoring the area and checking for signs of smoke. These are just two of the numerous fires that have been burning in the Wanganui Conservancy over the past three weeks.
"The rain has helped but the fire risk is still high and every precaution must be taken with fires." said Rod Smillie - DOC Incident Controller "In the event that there is a fire dial 111 as this will give you the quickest response"