Far North fire: Residents flee homes as blaze 'uncontained' overnight

Tuesday, 29 December 2020

The Ahipara fire continues to burn into the night.

Police have told people in a Far North township to leave their homes as a large bushfire continues to blaze overnight.

As night falls on the township of Ahipara helicopters have stopped work, said Fire and Emergency NZ communications shift supervisor Paul Radden.

The blaze illuminates the night sky as it burns along a ridgeline. Houses are seen in the foreground.

“It is uncontained at this stage, but not endangering any properties,” he said.

Three crews will remain at the large scrub fire to monitor the situation overnight and helicopters would return after dawn, Radden said.

Smoke from a large fire starts to cover Apihara, Northland on Tuesday evening.

Jade Weaver, who is staying with her parents in Ahipara’s Tasman Heights, said about 8pm police had knocked on their doors and told them to go to the Marae or the Rugby Club.

The officers told her the blaze to the south of the township was unpredictable and could be worsening, Weaver said.

Thick smoke now engulfs the small Northland town of Ahipara after a large scrub fire.

While Weaver said the intensity of the fire appeared to be easing off, police had told her the helicopters with monsoon buckets were unable to work after dark.

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Smoke from the scrub fire in Ahipara sends ash into the sky.

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Four helicopters were battling the bushfire in the Gumfields Historic Reserve, just south of the small town of Ahipara, at the southern end of Ninety Mile Beach.

Radden earlier said several volunteer crews from across the Far North were also battling the blaze that was threatening nearby homes.

Do you live in the area affected by the fire? Contact newstips@stuff.co.nz

The first call to emergency services regarding the fire came about 5.45pm, he confirmed.

Weaver called emergency services after seeing smoke and flames.

“We saw the first helicopter come along and dip in the ocean with a water bucket, but we can’t see too much any more because there is too much smoke.

“There is lots of ash raining from the sky.”

Weaver said the fire was creeping up the hill quickly and “definitely reached the top.”

“Where the fire is located is quite difficult to get to, I’m not sure what’s available in terms of road access.”