“Police assisted Fire and Emergency with traffic control at a car fire on SH29A, lower Kaimai, reported around 3.45pm,” police said.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) closed SH29 from Tauranga to Te Poi at 4.12pm due to the large fire.
Motorists were advised to delay their journeys or use an alternative route.
Tauranga east-bound traffic was diverted via SH28, SH5, SH36 then rejoining SH29. West-bound traffic was in reverse.
“Our brigades left the scene at 5.06pm,” Richards said.
NZTA reopened SH29 at 5.49pm after the road was cleared.
“Extra care is advised on this route,” said an NZTA spokesperson.
Bay of Plenty braces for burning threats of fire
Rising temperatures and dry conditions in the Bay of Plenty have led to more than 69 vegetation fires in November, resulting in the implementation of a restricted fire season.
“There hasn’t been significant rain over the winter, so the vegetation has dried,” Fire and Emergency Bay of Plenty district manager Jeff Maunder said.
Temperatures spiked in early December, and Maunder worried the winds would dry things out further.
“We’ve got over 500,000 hectares of commercial forestry conservation land, surrounded by farms, grasses and scrub that could be at risk.”
– SunLive
