Firefighters are battling a vegetation fire on the Tongariro crossing.
Photo: RNZ / Hamish Cardwell
A large fire in Tongariro National Park is affecting a main highway in the area, Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) says.
The fire was reported about 3.15pm Saturday, and firefighters and helicopters were working at the scene into the evening to battle the vegetation fire.
State Highway 47, which lies to the north and west of the park’s mountains, was affected and, by 5pm, there was “a large build-up of traffic reported”, FENZ said.
“Please avoid the area or delay travel until information about detours is available.”
Crews from six fire brigades were working at the scene or were on their way, while two helicopters were dumping water from monsoon buckets.
Photo: RNZ / Hamish Cardwell
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