Fire threatens sea lion breeding area

Firefighters tackle a fire in the sand dunes and pine trees at Warrington yesterday afternoon....
Firefighters tackle a fire in the sand dunes and pine trees at Warrington yesterday afternoon. PHOTO: GERARD O’BRIEN
A scrub fire in Warrington posed a risk to a sea lion breeding area yesterday.

A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesman said firefighters were called to Warrington Domain, about 25km north of Dunedin, about 1.50pm yesterday.

A patch of scrub about 100sq m was on fire.

The wind had been blowing the fire towards the coast, which could have potentially endangered a nearby sea lion breeding area, he said.

But the fire was extinguished by 5pm, and no sea lions were harmed, he said

The Department of Conservation was notified, he said.

A helicopter was also called but was later stood down.

Three crews remained at the scene in the early evening to dampen down any hot spots.

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