Eight helicopters are at the scene of the fire. (File photo)
Fire crews are expected to remain in Waipori Falls throughout the night, as they try to bring a bushfire under control. Crews were alerted to the blaze, about 60km inland from Dunedin, at 1.19pm on Wednesday. A Fire and Emergency NZ spokesman said access to the blaze was “very difficult” because of the “very rugged terrain”. Shift manager Andrew Norris said the fire had burned through about 80 hectares of gorse and native beech forest. “Three-quarters of the perimeter is contained at this stage, so it s not 100 per cent under control yet.”
He said as of 9am, helicopters were unable to help because of weather conditions. The 48 firefighters on the ground were instead using hand tools and thermal imaging equipment to extinguish the hotspots. No properties had been damaged or threatened by the fire, and no injuries had been reported, Dunn said. However, Thursday’s weather was expected to provide firefighters with some relief. MetService was forecasting a high of 12 degrees Celsius, along with cloud, scattered morning rain and southerlies. Increasing fine breaks were expected in the afternoon and would turn northeasterly in the evening.
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Crews continue to fight fire near Dunedin
16 Dec, 2020 06:49 PM
2 minutes to read
Helicopters help fight a large scrub fire near Waipori Falls yesterday. Photo / Peter McIntosh
Otago Daily Times
By: John Lewis
Police remained on standby last night, ready to evacuate Waipori Falls residents as helicopters and ground crews battled an 80ha blaze in the area.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand shift manager Andrew Norris said a large area of mainly tussock and scrub caught fire near Waipori Falls Rd about 1.20pm.
The blaze was attended by eight helicopters with monsoon buckets and fire crews from Waihola, Outram and Dunedin, including a command unit from Dunedin.
Four helicopters fighting 50-hectare blaze in Otago tussock land stuff.co.nz - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from stuff.co.nz Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.