Monitoring phase for Port Awanui fire

The Port Awanui fire flared up again on Friday afternoon and three crews of firefighters from the Bay of Plenty and Gisborne were called in to deal with it on Saturday. They had the flare-up out by Saturday evening. The fire has not yet been declared completely out and locals have been asked to monitor the situation. Pictures supplied

The major vegetation fire at Port Awanui near Tikitiki flared up again on Friday evening on part of the fire ground and fire crews were deployed back there on Saturday to put it out.

Fire and Emergency NZ sent three crews to the scene, with helicopters and heavy machinery assisting.

Two crews from the Bay of Plenty were flown in to join a crew from the Gisborne District Council.

“They had the flare-up out by late on Saturday, with some help from some fairly heavy rain,” a senior firefighter said.

“We’re still not in a position to declare the fire completely out.

“We have moved into a monitoring phase now, where we will rely on locals to contact us if it flares up again.

“If they see smoke again we want them to call us.”

The senior firefighter said they were satisfied that the majority of work to put that fire completely out had been completed.

“The deep-seated hot spots that caused Friday’s flare-up have been dealt with.”

A number of the firefighters involved at the weekend stayed overnight on Saturday at the local marae,  “which was really appreciated”.