Te Kao fire reignites

Helicopters and firefighters were called back to a Far North pine plantation after a fire reignited yesterday.

Ground crews working to dampen down hotspots in Aupouri Forest land, just north of Te Kao, raised the alarm about 1pm when the fire started to burn.

Two crews from Kaitaia fire brigade were called to the scene along with the Pukenui fire brigade. A helicopter arrived just after 3pm and a call was put in for another one to attend immediately.

The fire had jumped the road and crossed into a pine plantation and spread through about 15 hectares.

Bulldozers were also needed to put fire breaks in.

Crews were first called to the fire on Tuesday morning but it was quickly contained and most of the mop-up crew left on Thursday.

On Tuesday Joyce Munns, who saw the smoke from Waitiki Landing (and initially mistook it for a rain cloud), drove south to Tangoake, just north of Te Kao, to check on the safety of friends.

It was the only home threatened by the blaze and while the flames encroached within 10m, no damage was done. The occupants used a bulldozer to cut a fire break when they saw what was happening. Henderson Logging personnel were also quickly on the scene, with machines to help contain the blaze.

Far North District Council spokesman Richard Edmondson said a report on the cause was yet to be completed but it was not thought to have been lit deliberately.