Asia-Pacific

Massive blaze in New Zealand's Otago burns hundreds of hectares

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-02-24 09:40

WELLINGTON—A huge fire in a forest block northwest of New Zealand South Island's southern city of Dunedin was burning out of control on Wednesday, and has scorched more than 400 hectares of land, city officials said.

The fire began on Tuesday afternoon in a logged area of Mt. Allan Forest owned by Wenita Forest Products, then spread to a tree plantation.

Dunedin City Council rural fires manager Neil Brown said firefighters might have to wait until the blaze reaches to terrain where fire-breaks can be created, in order to bring it under control.

"At the moment we're mainly using helicopters," he told Radio New Zealand on Wednesday morning. "Because it's not safe or practical to get ground crews in to parts of the fire."

Brown said 10 helicopters with monsoon buckets are fighting the fire on three flanks, but it is not safe for them to fly above the head of the fire, where it is progressing. The blaze fire covers more than 400 hectares of land, he added.

Smoke has blanketed a significant area, most noticeably in Mosgiel and the Taieri Plain. Two families have been evacuated from their homes because of the blaze.

Wenita Chief Executive David Cormack said 50km/h winds were predicted for the area during Wednesday afternoon, which could cause more problems.