The fire was threatening homes at its peak. Photo / Warren Buckland
The fire was threatening homes at its peak. Photo / Warren Buckland
Firefighters trying to stop a scrub fire being fanned by strong winds said it was not threatening homes, despite at least two houses being wreathed in thick smoke as the blaze took hold.
Hawke's Bay Fire and Emergency Area Commander Ken Cooper said the fire, one of two within 90minutes in Central Hawke's Bay, had broken out about 1.30pm on Mangatarata Rd, near its intersection with Mt Herbert Rd.
Photographs from the scene show fire burning on a hilly area covered in forestry slash, near a number of homes.
Four urban fire trucks, two rural trucks, two tankers, four other rural crew and a helicopter were attempting to bring the fire under control, a fire communications spokeswoman said. There were no houses under threat as at 2.50pm, she said.
Workers using two diggers at a site near the fire also responded, taking the machines up the hillside to the front of the fire and helping create a firebreak.
The fire was visible from State Highway 2 and parts of Waipukurau, with smoke drifting over Waipukurau township.
The sight attracted attention, with traffic steady on Mt Herbert Rd as people took a drive to see what was happening, raising the ire of some residents. Central Hawke's Bay District Council subsequently closed the road from the Transfer Station as a safety precaution.
A number of fire trucks are battling the fire. Photo / Kendell O'Connor
A reporter at the scene said the fire appeared to have been brought under control fairly quickly and confined to a valley below the homes. The valley was being doused using a helicopter and monsoon bucket, as firefighters said it was too dangerous for ground crew.
Hawke's Bay Fire and Emergency NZ Deputy Area Commander Glen Varcoe said initial reports suggested a controlled burn had got out of control and spread into forestry slash.
Rural fire officers and numerous crews from around Hawke's Bay were being rallied to fight the fire, he said.
Meanwhile, a burn-off that spread into vegetation and long grass in a remote area of Central Hawke's Bay has been contained by firefighters.
The fire on Mangatarata Rd. Photo / Rachel Wise
A fire communications spokeswoman said fire trucks were called to Blackhead Rd, near Porangahau, about 12.10pm.
The fire had burned across roughly 100 metres by 50 metres of vegetation as well as some long grass in the area, she said.
