Firefighting is continuing on Matakana Island, where a vegetation fire has been burning in scrub and forestry slash since Saturday night.
The fire was contained on Sunday night and firefighters worked through the night, supported by heavy machinery, to consolidate the firebreaks.
Incident Controller Jeff Maunder says work would continue to reinforce the containment lines today, with three helicopters equipped with monsoon buckets supporting over 30 firefighters, and an excavator.
"The fire is 100 per cent contained but there are some weak points we are working on," says Jeff.
"We are also identifying dangerous trees and making them safe, and continuing to push the fire away from the containment lines.
"It’s a reasonably long and arduous task, dealing with deep-seated fires in heavy fuels."
An investigation into the cause of the fire has begun.
People are asked to stay away from Matakana Island, and to avoid flying drones in the area.
"Because our helicopters have to stop operating when drones are near the fireground," says Jeff.
Matakana Island where fire crews, helicopters and heavy machinery are back working throughout Christmas Day. Photo: FENZ.Tonight, Fire and Emergency will be using drones with infrared equipment to identify hotspots that will be targeted in tomorrow’s [Tuesday December 26] firefighting.
0 comments
Leave a Comment
You must be logged in to make a comment.