Tongariro Forest fire deliberately lit
A fire in Tongariro Forest on the weekend was deliberately lit, probably by hunters, said Department of Conservation regional conservator, Paul Green. The fire was off Kapoors Road in a well known hunting area. While fire fighters from the Department of Conservation were called to the fire on Saturday evening they discovered that toe toe had been used as fuel to light a number of small fires in the area. DoC staff assume that hunters, wanting to encourage new grass growth had started the fires. It took two helicopters using monsoon buckets and ground crews three hours to bring the fire under control. The area is an important kiwi habitat both locally and nationally, and DoC staff are shocked and concerned at the possible impact the fire could have had. Mr Green said that the fire was well away from the main road. "If it hadn't been noticed it could have burned unchecked for a considerable amount of time and caused immeasurable damage both to the kiwi population and to
the forest," he said. A conservati ve estimate puts the cost of fire at $ 1 0,000. Taumarunui police are investigating the cause of the fire. Anyone with information to assist should contact the police directly. A fire on Friday in Tongariro National Park at Erua burnt about a hectare of native bush and took DoC fire fighters and a helicopter using a monsoon bucket approximately four hours to control. DoC is investigating the cause of the fire which was near the railway line. As well, lightning strikes in Tongariro Forest have caused a number of other small fires. Conservancy fire chief Dave Lumley said the present weather pattern is causing aftemoon lightning strikes. He said anyone sighting a suspected fire should call 111 immediately. Mr Lumley said that the bush is very dry and people needed to take extreme care. As yet a fire ban is not in force. However, anyone wanting to light a fire needed to obtain a fire permit first.
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Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 12, Issue 567, 20 December 1994, Page 9
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338Tongariro Forest fire deliberately lit Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 12, Issue 567, 20 December 1994, Page 9
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