Blair Shco captured footage of smoke rolling off the island
Seventy-five firefighters are battling the Matakana Island blaze which started more than a week ago.
A Fire and Emergency NZ statement today said firefighters had been managing hot spots identified by drones. While there was little smoke, the fire was still burning deep underground.
The fire on Matakana Island beganon December 13. Homes were not currently at risk and the fire had been all forestry.
Firefighters are making good progress and expected to be on scene for at least the next few days, the statement said.
"We are working closely with local iwi on the island."
A plume of smoke rises from a fire on Matakana Island. Photo / File
On Saturday, smoke was seen billowing after the fire jumped a fire break causing it to resurge.
Smoke was seen from around the city, with an Ōtūmoetai resident reporting fine ash falling on his Grange Rd property. On Sunday, two helicopters, three ground crews and two bulldozers were involved in the efforts.
Tauranga resident Rachael Garrett grew up on the island and said watching it burn was "devastating" and a "shock".
Helicopters battling the fire at Matakana Island days after it broke out. Photo / File
Garrett was on the island the day before the initial blaze with her in-laws who she had taken for a drive down the beach and she had mentioned that in all her years there had never been a fire.
"The very next day we had a fire, and that was devastating. I couldn't believe it."
On the Saturday the blaze reignited, and she headed out on the water and looked at where the fire had been the week prior and said there was no smoke.
"From the time it took for me to get from that side of the island, back up Hunter's Creek, all of a sudden there was a whole lot of smoke."
