Issue 48 - New Zealand Fire Service

Picture courtesy of NZPA
Mahia scorcher
Gisborne and its surrounding
areas are some of the
hottest parts of the country,
and the hottest parts of
the country combined
with the hottest time
of year means
extreme fire danger.
Mahia learnt just how extreme
when a huge scrub fire destroyed
six properties and forced the
evacuation of more than 150
residents in a blaze that took 100
firefighters and three helicopters
to bring it under control.
The fire began on the last day of
January as temperatures in the
area reached 39 degrees.
One for the road
The New Zealand Fire Service Magazine
Incidents
Firefighters spent the next two
days battling the blaze as it
swelled from high winds and
high temperatures.
Days later evacuated residents
were able to return to their
homes – many of which suffered
smoke damage.
At the time of print the cause of
the fire was unknown.
New Years Eve got off to
quite a start in Auckland
when firefighters were
called out to a car fire on
Auckland motorway.
Several passing motorists notified
the Fire Service of the blazing car,
which was in the bus lane of
an off-ramp, just south of the
Auckland Harbour Bridge,
about 7.55am.
Firefighters arrived to find the car
well ablaze but empty and the fire
was extinguished in minutes.
February 2009
Picture courtesy of Wairoa Star
13