Home / New ZealandAerial firefighting on hold after drone flies over Naenae blazeNZ Herald22 Oct, 2021 04:31 AMQuick ReadSubscribe to listenAccess to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Subscribe now to listen.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber? Sign in hereListening to articles is free for open-access content—explore other articles or learn more about text-to-speech.SaveShareShare this articleCopy LinkEmailFacebookTwitter/XLinkedInRedditTwo helicopters are being used to battle a scrub fire in Lower Hutt. Photo / TwitterTwo helicopters are being used to battle a scrub fire in Lower Hutt. Photo / TwitterA drone being flown near a vegetation fire in the hills above Naenae has forced Fire and Emergency to suspend their aerial firefighting operations.Fire and emergency were called to the fire in Naenae near Wilkie Crescent just after 4pm. Eleven crews are involved and helicopters were being use to fight the blaze. Huge fire in Lower Hutt. pic.twitter.com/Z8f8mTJ4Xr— Amber Woolf (@WoolfA) October 22, 2021 There’s a massive fire on the hill above Naenae, starting to encroach on one of the few pockets of native bush that avoided being cleared a hundred years ago as well as peoples homes. Bring in the choppers! #lowerhutt pic.twitter.com/OoUIp05eT0— Josh Galuszka (@joshgaluszkanz) October 22, 2021 AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.However, incident Controller Jason Hill said the firefighting efforts have been interrupted by someone flying a drone above the area.He's now pleading with people who have drones to avoid the area."We have had to suspend the aerial attack while the drone is in the air to ensure the safety of our pilots and crews."Hill said ground crews are still working on the fire but there is a limited amount of daylight left for safe helicopter operations tonight.No homes are currently under threat.AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.SaveShareShare this articleCopy LinkEmailFacebookTwitter/XLinkedInRedditLatest from New ZealandPremiumEditorialEditorial: Not everyone is confident the energy sector is in good shapePoliticsAbuse in care: Extra $7m for redress pool after more people eligible than expectedNew ZealandWhy experts predict butter prices will keep increasingSponsoredSolar bat monitors uncover secrets of Auckland’s night skyAdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.