30 January
About 70 firefighters are working to extinguish a vegetation fire near Meremere tonight.
Fire and Emergency Incident Controller Thomas Harre says the fire covers about five hectares of native bush including
peat alongside the main trunk railway line, which has been closed. While the fire is visible from State Highway 1, the
road is not affected.
No structures are at risk and conditions are currently calm, which is helping firefighting efforts. Crews will remain on
the scene overnight and helicopters will be brought in to support ground operations from about 7am.
Mr Harre says the fire was notified shortly before 7pm and brigades have responded from both the Counties Manukau and
Waikato Districts.
A further update will be available in the morning.