Seven helicopters battled a large vegetation fire threatening two telecommunications towers on Mount Hamilton near Centre Hill in northern Southland on Sunday afternoon. Fire and Emergency New Zealand crews suspended aerial operations for the night, with favorable weather and rain forecast to aid containment efforts on Monday.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand received the first call to the blaze on Mount Hamilton near Centre Hill, east of Te Anau, at approximately 3.37pm or 4pm according to regional reporting.
Helicopters Defend Centre Hill Towers
Responders deployed an all-air strategy because the terrain is difficult to access by land. Six helicopters equipped with monsoon buckets targeted the flames. A seventh aircraft coordinated air attacks from above as detailed by local journalists.
Ground crews remained stationed in the area merely to monitor the response. No firefighters tackled the blaze on foot due to the hard-to-reach land.
A Fire and Emergency spokesperson stated that the fire posed no immediate danger, confirming there was no risk to the public at the moment. Strong winds were making the situation hard to contain.
The key focus stayed on the protection of the telecommunications towers nearby. A Fire and Emergency spokesman noted that the fire was burning through fine fuels.
Challenging conditions persisted due to the strong winds. The telecommunication towers represented the sole risk at this stage.
Multiple crews responded to a separate paddock fire in the Browns area of Southland. Responders worked across two flanks to control approximately five acres of active fire.
Attending units included two appliances from Winton, a tanker from Wallacetown, and three appliances from Hedgehope. One appliance from Browns and another tanker from Dipton also attended.
Public broadcaster reporting noted that visibility of the flames extended into northern parts of the region, particularly around Mossburn.
Authorities emphasized there was no threat to residential properties or the general public.
Weather Warning Follows Overnight Pause
Officials praised the flight crews for their efforts under difficult operating conditions. A Fire and Emergency officer is scheduled to conduct a flyover on Monday morning to assess the blaze before a new firefighting plan is developed.
Pilots have done an excellent job in challenging conditions to protect the telecommunications infrastructure on Centre Hill.
Southland Fire and Emergency, via Radio New Zealand
The overnight pause coincides with impending meteorological hazards for the wider Southland district. Television coverage highlighted that an orange-level strong wind warning takes effect for the region.
Severe northwesterly gales are gusting up to 120km/h in exposed locations. A heavy rain watch is due to begin Monday afternoon.
The wind is expected to get worse. Southland was placed among several areas under an orange-level strong wind warning from 8am to 8pm.