Evacuated families sleep at the former Opoutama School while the massive forest fire at Opoutama on the Mahia Peninsula roars in the distance. Photo / Hawke's Bay Today.
Evacuated families sleep at the former Opoutama School while the massive forest fire at Opoutama on the Mahia Peninsula roars in the distance. Photo / Hawke's Bay Today.
Seven buildings have been damaged and at least one house destroyed by a large scrub fire still blazing near Mahia Beach, 54km southeast of Wairoa.
Clubrooms, two chalets, the YMCA and houses are thought to be among those affected.
The fire is believed to have started around 4pmyesterday, and has burnt through over 65 hectares of forest and scrub.
Around 100 people were evacuated from their homes last night as the fire raged out of control.
Gisborne District Council spokesman Don Scott says the fire is deep seated and will cause problems for some time.
He says officials are concerned about a forecast wind-change this afternoon, which could push the fire into an area of very heavy fuel.
Mr Scott says an investigation into the cause of the fire is underway.
Department of Conservation spokeswoman Jill Hudson said 100 fire fighters and three helicopters were battling the blaze which is yet to be contained.
She said fire fighters were concerned that a wind shift from the south to a north-easterly could blow the fire in the direction on wild pines and scrub.
"It's very dry and there's a lot of route systems and things that it can go under ground as well," Ms Hudson said.
She said reinforcements are expected tonight to relieve local crews who will need a rest.
Ms Hudson said fire fighters were moving fuel out of the path of the fire and putting up fire blocks.
Earlier this morning, rural fire officer and response co-ordinator Don Scott told Radio New Zealand that evacuations were taking place.
Another "significant" fire at Tokomaru Bay, 92km north of Gisborne, had stretched resources, Mr Scott said.
Tokomaru Bay was in "mop up" and 30 firefighters were working to make sure the fire stayed contained.
Wairoa District Council was due to move the area to a total fire ban tomorrow.
Mr Scott said the weather was cooler than yesterday, which would help in battling the fire today.
"The humidity is up and the temperature is down, that provides us our best window of opportunity to get on top of it," Mr Scott said.
