A Kerikeri scrub fire which is threatening the local airport
has been contained but it yet to be brought under control.
The fire, which started about 3.30pm, had burned through 20
hectares of scrub in a triangular area adjacent to the
airport, northern fire communications shift manager Scott
Osmond said.
"It's been contained but not controlled, so there's no
immediate risk of it spreading anywhere. However, it's still
burning quite significantly and will be all night."
Mr Osmond said new firefighters were brought in about 10pm to
relieve those who had been fighting the blaze last night.
Ten crews and four helicopters were at the scene.
Airport manager Stan Hansen told NZPA the airport was closed
to all incoming flights because smoke coming across the
runway had made landing dangerous, and that the situation
would be reassessed this morning.
Mr Hansen said several planes had been evacuated from hangars
near the fire as a precaution.
The fire had also caused power cuts in Kerikeri with
residents in the area losing power three times before 6.30pm
as it burned near overhead lines.
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