Man Power Takes On Big Fire

Ground crews have begun working with aerial fire fighting resources to contain the fire burning north east of Dunedin in the Wenita Mt Allan Forest.

While weather conditions calmed overnight strong 50 to 60 kilometre north to north-west winds to-day have now extended the fire area to 820 hectares.

The fire fighting operation remains one of containment with 10 helicopters and one fixed-wing aircraft dumping water and foam onto the north- east and south-east boundaries of the fire area supported by two 5 man ground crews.

The fire's Incident Controller reports that the fire is being held but is not yet contained.

The National Incident team has arrived on site in the area and has begun assisting local crews staffing the emergency command vehicle.

The formal fire investigation into the cause of the fire - the how, not the who - has begun.

Those evacuated from the area yesterday (5 properties) will remain away from the area again overnight.

Walking tracks into the area have also been closed and the Taieri Gorge Excursion Train cancelled its journey into Middlemarch again to-day.

All these situations will be reviewed in the morning.

Wenita Forest Fire - Area Map 25/02/2010 (PDF, 1.7mb, new window)

ENDS

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