"We expect to be working on this fire for several days." Fire & Emergency NZ is continuing to work on containing and suppressing the fire at Waiinu Beach in South Taranaki. Assistant Commander Clive Lennox, the Incident Controller, says the fire has grown slightly overnight and is estimated at just over 100 hectares. There are two crews of firefighters, supported by two helicopters as well as heavy machinery. Further crews are on their way.
"No one in the Waiinu Village has had to evacuate. The wind is currently blowing smoke out to sea, away from the village. However, the precautionary advice to local residents remains the same - minimise exposure to smoke if your property is affected by staying inside with doors and windows shut, and be prepared to evacuate if the order is given," Clive Lennox says.
Waiinu Beach Road is closed from Silver Fern Farms Waitotora to the turn-off to the Waiinu Beach settlement for the safety of crews and the public.
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Update 4pm: Crews continue their mahi at the Waiinu Beach fire in South Taranaki. Assistant Commander Clive Lennox says the rain has been a welcome addition today. "The smoke has died down considerably, and we’re hoping for more rain to assist in getting the fire under control. At the moment, we have the fire 70 percent contained."
There are currently multiple ground crews and nine trucks and support vehicles working alongside diggers and bulldozers. The helicopter has had to be grounded due to high winds but it is on standby.
"The fire is roughly 30 hectares in size with a 3km perimeter, which is smaller than our initial estimate due to the large amount of smoke yesterday. We’ve cut a fire break through the pine forest to stop it from spreading. The next task will be mopping up. I’d like to thank our crews and contractors for working around the clock over the last day and night to get this fire contained."
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Update from FENZ 11:30am 17/12:
Rain in the area has assisted with the response to a vegetation fire at Waiinu Beach, South Taranaki.
Incident Controller, Assistant Commander Clive Lennox says a crew worked overnight to keep the fire contained.
"The fire hasn’t grown in size since yesterday, it’s still around 30 hectares and we have it 70 percent contained."
Currently, the response has been scaled down to two ground crews working alongside diggers and bulldozers.
"We expect to be here for at least today and tomorrow," Clive Lennox says.
"Waiinu Beach Road is still closed from Silver Fern Farms Waitōtara to the turn-off to the Waiinu Beach settlement.
"Please pay attention to the road signs, it’s for the safety of yourselves and our crews."
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Update from FENZ 4:30pm 1712: Fire and Emergency New Zealand crews responding to the vegetation fire at Waiinu Beach have ceased operations this afternoon.
Incident Controller, Assistant Commander Clive Lennox says thanks to the hard mahi of our firefighters and heavy machinery operators today, the fire is now 90 percent contained.
“I’m very pleased with the progress we made today. I’m glad our crews can go home for a well-deserved rest tonight.
“We’ll return with heavy machinery tomorrow morning to continue mopping up.
Waiinu Beach Road is open again with a speed limit of 50km/h.
