Tongariro forest fire contained
Date: 08 February 2008
A fire burning in the Tongariro Forest Conservation Area, north of Tongariro National Park has largely been contained.
Fire crews on the ground and a helicopter with monsoon bucket are expected to work throughout today as they continue to mop up around 20 known hot spots.
"Luckily there was a road above the gully where the fire started and this acted as a natural barrier to help contain the fire," says Kevin Cannell, DOC Ruapehu Area Manager.
"Our fire crews have been able to use the road as a staging area to get close to the fire front and dampen down hot spots quickly and effectively," he says.
There is still no indication as to what caused the fire in the kiwi sanctuary, but DOC is confident that no kiwi have been caught in the blaze.
"There are low densities of kiwi in the immediate area of the fire so we're hopeful none have been harmed," says Kiwi Sanctuary Programme Manager Robert Hood.
"If the fire had shifted direction and threatened a larger area of the forest we would have been very concerned".
The 42 Traverse has been reopened, however DOC reiterates everyone needs to take care in the extremely dry conditions. A total fire ban is in force throughout the Tongariro Taupo Conservancy.