Serious forest fire, New Zealand sends more planes to respond

(CLO) New Zealand authorities said on November 9 that additional aircraft were being deployed to extinguish a bushfire that has burned about 1,100 hectares in the North Island.

Firefighters began battling a blaze in Tongariro National Park, a popular hiking destination, on Saturday afternoon and about 40 hikers had to be airlifted to safety. However, the firefighting operation was halted overnight for safety reasons.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand said on Sunday that more firefighting aircraft would be sent to the area, bringing the total number of aerial assets involved in fighting the blaze to eight helicopters and three planes.

Severe bushfires in New Zealand. Screenshot

“Due to the terrain and extent of the fire, air-based firefighting would be more effective at this stage than bringing additional ground forces to most of the fire area,” Fire and Emergency New Zealand assistant commissioner Craig Gold said in a statement.

Nine hikers were evacuated from the national park on Sunday morning, state-run Radio New Zealand reported, citing a Department of Conservation spokesman.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand said an aerial survey on Sunday would confirm the severity of the fire. It said six fire engines and five tankers would be on the scene to tackle the blaze.

Source: https://congluan.vn/chay-rung-nghiem-trong-new-zealand-dieu-them-may-bay-ung-pho-10317135.html