Days of firefighting still to come as 200 fire hotspots found on Matakana Island

Firefighters will be working on Matakana Island for days to come after about 200 hotspots were found overnight following a major blaze.

The fire, which broke out on Saturday, burnt through more than 37 hectares of scrub and pine slash.

It was contained on Sunday night but 30 firefighters and three helicopters continued to work through to keep it under control with fire breaks

Supplied / Fire and Emergency Bay of Plenty
Supplied / Fire and Emergency Bay of Plenty Photo credit: Fire and Emergency Bay of Plenty

Incident Controller Jeff Maunder said in some areas the fire was burning underground in the roots of large trees. Drones flying over the area on Tuesday morning had found about 200 hotspots still to be dealt with.

"The fire is contained within a secure perimeter, but there are pockets of vegetation and tree stumps that are still smouldering and could reignite if not fully extinguished."

Resident Hauata Palmer said the fire did not appear to pose a danger to residents.

The fire was closer to the side of the island facing the Pacific Ocean, whereas most residents live on the other side, Palmer said.

Visibility was reduced as firefighters worked to put out the blaze on 24 December.
Visibility was reduced as firefighters worked to put out the blaze on 24 December. Photo credit: Fire and Emergency Bay of Plenty

The community was currently not affected by the smoke, because the wind had been blowing the smoke away from the settlements, she said.

Residents in nearby Tauranga say they have been able to see the fire from the town, and some even felt the smoke drifting over.

"There has been smoke and stuff come over and I've had other people complaining about respiratory ailments that, you know, they couldn't hang the washing on the line or had to shut all the windows and turn the air con on," resident Leanne Swinburne said

An aerial view of the fire on Matakana Island.
An aerial view of the fire on Matakana Island. Photo credit: Fire and Emergency Bay of Plenty

Fire crews have been very swift in tackling the blaze, Swinburne said.

Boats had been regularly stopping off at the island to drop off firefighters, she said.

"I think that everyone's done as much as they could with the resources they have. I mean there's only one fire truck, I believe, on the island itself ... they did everything as fast as they could, I don't think there's anything that could've been done any better or faster."