She thought it would be put out soon as fire crews were already there, but 4km into the hike she saw large flames in the distance.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd then we realised the fire wasn\u2019t put out, it had actually got bigger,\u201d she told the Herald.<\/p>\n
Her group continued and was met by a ranger who had just received orders to evacuate trampers on their radio, she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had very lucky timing to receive the information from the ranger in time.\u201d<\/p>\n
When they reached their hut, the seriousness of the situation set in.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe could see the big flames rising up from the other side of the mountain, and the fire was coming our way,\u201d she told the Herald.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt almost felt a little bit surreal, like the end of the world, because the ashes were falling down from the sky.\u201d<\/p>\n
A helicopter arrived and met the group, which had mixed emotions; some were scared and anxious, while others were excited to get in the chopper, Bao said.<\/p>\n
Under the guidance of Fire and Emergency and the rescue team, they were able to evacuate in a calm, orderly fashion, she said.<\/p>\n
Daisy Bao was among a group airlifted from Mt Tongariro during the fire. Photo \/ @iloveaotearoa00<\/p>\n
A \u201cspectacular and very devastating\u201d scene awaited them in the air as they saw a line of orange fire with \u201cunstoppable flames\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe felt very sad for the mountain and the land, and the animals that could have been impacted by this.\u201d<\/p>\n
It was very surprising to see how large the fire had gotten since they drove past it earlier, Bao said.<\/p>\n
The rescue crew was friendly and calm, which helped comfort the group and make them feel safe.<\/p>\n
They landed near the Whakapapa Fire Station and were greeted with tea, coffee, and biscuits, said Bao.<\/p>\n
Accommodation was also offered to the group.<\/p>\n
Bao said if they had been evacuated one hour later, it could have been a disaster.<\/p>\n
The fire was moving quickly, so if their rescue was delayed they could have been stranded on the mountain, she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cLater, we were told the place that we walked past has now been burnt to ashes.\u201d<\/p>\n
The timely evacuation meant their driver was able to get their car from the car park, out of the fire zone.<\/p>\n
Fires continue to rage in Tongariro National Park. Photo \/ Wendy Smit<\/p>\n
\u201cHad the rescue been a little bit later, maybe delayed by one hour, we would not be able to get our cars back. They will all be buried in the fire.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fire and Emergency assistant commander Assistant Commander Craig Gold said that the fire now covers an estimated 1800 hectares, and is 20% contained.<\/p>\n
Twelve helicopters and five fixed-wing aircraft are waterbombing the fire, while another helicopter coordinates their movements.<\/p>\n