Matakana Island fire: Helicopters working to reduce the fire

New Zealand

13 Dec, 2020 02: 52 AM 3 minutes to read

Blair Shco captured footage of blaze rolling off the island

Three helicopters are being used to douse a large fire-starters on Matakana Island off Tauranga as firefighters continue to fight your current blaze.

The fire has been noticed around 3pm and a following helicopter was called to prevent the fire at 6pm.

In a Facebook information Fire and Be given NZ said it had received carry out calls from around the Tauranga zoom about the large fire.

“The fire is on the seashore side just up from Panepane Point. Fire size currently is around one to two hectares and burning inland. ”

Initially a pair of helicopters were sent to help eliminate the fire but a third was supplied three hours later.

A police spokeswoman confirmed criminal arrest had received reports of the light but had not been dispatched.

Smoke rising from Matakana Island. Photo suggestions Samantha Motion

“We received reports about 3. 53pm of cigar cigarette that appeared to be coming from Matakana Tropical isle. ”

Update 1900: Third Helicopter now assisting complete with fire suppression Fire and additionally Emergency NZ have been receiving…

Posted by Fire and Emergency NZ Marketing Centres on  Saturday, December 12, 2020

Kewpie Cruises owner Amy Neale was leaving the harbour utilizing private charter a little after 3pm when she saw smoke as well as , called 111.

“We thought we better call it inside of because there is quite a large pine planting on the island. ”

Neale said when she first observed the smoke there were just “a few puffs” but as the fire mature, the smoke thickened and later we all couldn’t see up the coastline in direction of Waihi and Bowentown.

Al Gibson was at Mt Maunganui beach when he and people around give up hope started seeing all the smoke coming from the north western side of Mauao.

The fire is regarded as about 1 to 2 ha. Photo / Supplied

“Everyone was under the look the mount was on fire, lunch break he told the Bay related to Plenty Times.

“But it must be a pretty decent sized light on Matakana Island for the total smoke we can see. A lot of smoke the cause drifted out east and it’s increasing a long way. ”

The fire can be seen from Bracket Maunganui beach.

A person on the island said these companies believed the fire was at the Panepane Point end of the island, could be closest to Mauao.

Blair Shco captured a video of the at the time you while driving on his jetski.

“We just noticed the few funny looking clouds so we hissed over to the smoke and had that geez at what was going on. We’re able to smell smoke.

“We just witnessed the bravery place by the helicopter pilot and his suitable container. ”

Matakana Area stretches from Bowentown to Support Maunganui and is largely covered together with pine trees. It had a culture of 183 at the 2018 Interesting Zealand census.