Fire-affected Hampton Downs residents reconnect downpipes as firefighters continue to battle blaze

Residents northwest and southwest of the fire at Hampton Downs landfill can now reconnect their downpipes after yesterday's rain likely washed away any contaminated residue left on roofs.

As some Hampton Downs residents re-connect their downpipes after likely contaminated roofs, about 40 firefighters continue to battle the blaze.

And a change in wind direction means residents in different areas will now bear the brunt of the smoke, described by one resident as "acrid".

Three helicopters also remain at the scene after fire crews were first alerted to a fire in the general waste section of the Hampton Downs landfill about 10am on Sunday.

Multiple resources have been at the scene since then. Today, three helicopters, four pump appliances, one rural 4WD, three tankers and 40 personnel are working to contain the fire.

A Fire and Emergency spokesman said as crews dampen flames, the operator of the landfill - Envirowaste - is using multiple heavy machinery vehicles to cover the tip face with clay to extinguish the fire.

"Overnight the wind has changed to a southwesterly direction, so smoke drift will impact different communities from the previous two days.

"Niwa is currently mapping the smoke plume to provide accurate information about where and how far it will travel.

"In the meantime, we recommend to residents nearby that they stay indoors and keep windows and doors closed to minimise disruption from the smoke and steam."

The smoke could have been toxic due to the range of household products on fire.

Rural residents in the initial affected area who used roof water were asked to stop collecting it immediately and clean their roof before collecting water again.

However, due to yesterday's heavy rain, they were given the all clear to reconnect their pipes as the rain would have flushed any unwanted material away.

Fire and emergency urged any residents who spotted smoke to ring 111 if they had any concerns.

One local resident, who wanted to be known as Fiona, described the smoke as "acrid" and was worried about the effect on not only her own health but also the many animals she had at her property.

"It's horrid, have lost sense of smell as it is so acrid."

She said the smoke seemed more dense on Monday than what it was on Sunday.

🔥 UPDATE: Hampton Downs Landfill Fire 🔥 This map shows the maximum area affected by smoke from the fire based on the...

Posted by Fire and Emergency NZ on Sunday, 31 March 2019