Firefighters tackle out-of-control burn-off near Bulls

Fire crews from Whanganui, Bulls Fielding and Palmerston North were at the scene. Photo/ Bevan Conley

Fire crews fought an out-of-control burn-off outside Bulls in the Rangitīkei district on Thursday morning.

Personnel from Bulls, Whanganui, Fielding, Marton and Palmerston North were at the scene.

Whanganui Fire Brigade senior station officer Shane Dudley said the fire began from a burn-off of some pine slash and vegetation.

He said rural fire brigades had been called to assist with the response.

“We’ve sent three tankers, two pumps and a command unit.”

Central Fire and Emergency shift manager Chris Dalton said at just after 10am, the fire was about 600 square metres in size.

No property or livestock was at risk.

A Fire Emergency New Zealand spokesman said the fire was contained and the last personnel left the scene around 3pm.

He said the fire was “a permitted burn that got away on the person.”

The Whanganui Fire Brigade responded to another out-of-control burn-off near Whangaehu on April 4.

Burn-offs, or land clearing burns, are used to clear scrub or vegetation.

Eva de Jong is a reporter for the Whanganui Chronicle covering health stories and general news. She began as a reporter in 2023.