Source: Radio New Zealand
Firefighters expect they will be battling the fire for days. Pretoria Gordon / RNZ
A fire in South Taranaki has grown overnight to an estimated 100 hectares, with firefighters expected to be battling the blaze for several days.
The fire, located between Waitōtara township and Waiinu Beach settlement, started on Monday afternoon and is yet to be contained.
Fire and Emergency (FENZ) says two firefighting crews, two helicopters, and heavy machinery are working to extinguish the blaze, with additional help on the way.
There have been no evacuations, but residents have been told to prepare to leave.
FENZ says the smoke is currently blowing out to sea but are advising local residents to limit their exposure by remaining inside with windows and doors shut.
Waiinu Beach Road is closed from Silver Fern Farms Waitōtara to the turn-off to the Waiinu Beach settlement.
A separate forestry fire southeast in Parikino has seen reinforcements from the New Zealand Defence Force and the Department of Conservation called in.
The blaze in Lismore Forest near Parikino – near Whanganui – has scorched more than 100 hectares, after being first reported at 5.15pm on Sunday.
FENZ Incident Controller, Assistant Commander Renee Potae says the fire, which is still not contained, is burning through slash piles, cutover pine forest and underneath standing pine trees on the forest floor in several locations, across difficult terrain.
“There will be multiple crews on the ground today with support from heavy machinery and five helicopters.”
She says the weather forecast could hamper firefighting efforts.
“The wind has picked up significantly and some rain is forecast which could make the ground muddy and make access more difficult for ground crews.”
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
