Fire-starter could face court for blaze 'beyond stupidity'

Last weekend's blaze near Horeke was in the same forest hit by the massive 2011 fire seen here. Photo/Peter de Graaf

The fire-starter responsible for last weekend's blaze in a South Hokianga pine forest could face court action as well as an order to pay firefighting costs of more than $50,000.

The fire started about 6pm on Friday in White Cliffs Forest, beside Horeke Rd just east of Horeke settlement.

It was in the same area as the biggest fire of the 2011-12 season, which destroyed 350ha of forest, threatened a marae and several homes, and cost $650,000 to put out.

Principal rural fire officer Myles Taylor said the latest fire was "beyond stupidity" and showed a complete lack of care and understanding.

The fire authority would do its best to find the people responsible, put them before the courts and recover firefighting costs estimated to be between $50,000 and $60,000.

Friday's fire destroyed about 5ha of pines trees replanted after the 2011 blaze. A strong wind was blowing so firefighters hit the flames quickly and hard, Mr Taylor said.

Four helicopters managed to contain the blaze on Friday night with ground crews using bulldozers and a digger to cut a fireline around the perimeter on Saturday.

They returned on Sunday and Monday until welcome rain dumped by the remnants of Cyclone June finished the job.

Once the rain had passed firefighters would return with a thermal camera to check for remaining hotspots.

Mr Taylor believed the fire had been started by a local resident dumping rubbish in the forest and burning it. The authority had strong leads as to the offender's identity. If confirmed, the fire-starter would be placed before a judge and required to pay full costs.

The blaze was fought by volunteer firefighters from Okaihau and Kaikohe, a rural fire unit from Kaikohe, and forestry crews and locals lending their machinery.

Friday was hot and dry with strong winds - ideal conditions for a wild fire and similar to the weather in November 2011 when a community trust worker clearing a section of cycle trail near Horeke lit a pile of cut vegetation, triggering Northland's biggest fire in decades.