\u201cWe are hitting the fire hard and making the most of the daylight to try and get it contained,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
About 60 firefighters with 16 fire enginess supported by helicopters are working into the evening, with additional helicopters en route. <\/p>\n
An incident management team has been established.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know that the community is anxious, as this comes so soon after last month\u2019s fire in the same area,\u201d Nally said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s particularly difficult for the people who live in the area and those who depend on the maunga for their livelihood.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are planning for several days of operations. The objective is to contain the fire and then put it out.\u201d <\/p>\n
Fixed-wing aircraft will be joining the air attack tomorrow, along with fresh crews of firefighters, said Fire and Emergency.<\/p>\n
Fires have broken out at the Tongariro National Park today. Photo \/ Liz Brooker T\u014d\u012b Communication<\/p>\n
Nally said an investigation was underway, with initial indications that the fire was not arson.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s understandable that people want to know how this fire started and they deserve facts, not rumours,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are working with police to confirm the origin and cause of the fire and will provide more information when it is available.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to Te R\u016bnanganui o Ng\u0101ti Hikairo ki Tongariro, police said the fire began after a trailer tyre blowout.<\/p>\n
Police have advised the road between State Highway 48 and Mangatepopo Rd is closed. Motorists are advised to avoid the area and expect delays. <\/p>\n
Te R\u016bnanganui o Ng\u0101ti Hikairo ki Tongariro said kate authorities about upcoming weather patterns to help manage risks.<\/p>\n
Earlier, Colin Baker from Ruapehu Scenic Shuttles told NZME he received a video of the blaze and five minutes later the fire siren went off.<\/p>\n
\u201cSomeone told me it was a third-alarm fire.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said he has received multiple phone calls and the fire was reported to be in multiple locations.<\/p>\n
Sam Bayly and his 16-year-old daughter Zuri were staying at Whakapapa Holiday Park, which was being evacuated.<\/p>\n
He said the fire was near Whakapapa Rd and heading towards T\u016brangi.<\/p>\n
Sam said he saw \u201cblack, orange smoke\u201d and a \u201cmassive cloud\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re [Department of Conservation] evacuating everybody, telling them to move because the wind has turned and it\u2019s starting to come towards us at Whakapapa.\u201d<\/p>\n
People were being told to evacuate from the area. Photo \/ Sam Bayly<\/p>\n
Zuri was walking the Tama Lakes track at the time of the fire.<\/p>\n
He had been in touch with his daughter and told her \u201cshe better get going\u201d.<\/p>\n
He said a ranger had been sent to evacuate everyone from the walking trails.<\/p>\n
Zuri said the fire \u201ckept getting bigger and bigger\u201d while she was on her walk.<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t really think there would be a bushfire today.\u201d<\/p>\n
A DoC ranger was at the end of the trail Zuri was walking and told her they were evacuating everyone.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt all happened really quickly,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
She and Sam were driving back as they spoke to NZME, and Zuri said the fire was \u201clike 600 metres away from us\u201d and \u201cmoving fast\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s crazy.\u201d<\/p>\n
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi said SH47 between Waimarino and Tongariro was closed.<\/p>\n
\u201cDue to vegetation fires, the road is closed between SH46 and SH48. <\/p>\n
\u201cFollow the detour and allow extra time for travel.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf travelling southbound, detour via SH1 and SH49. Reverse for northbound.\u201d<\/p>\n
DoC has asked visitors to leave Whakapapa Village as a precaution and has closed the Whakapapa Village tracks. <\/p>\n
Village residents have been advised to prepare for possible evacuation.<\/p>\n
Fire and Emergency has also advised residents in the nearby vicinity to keep their doors and windows closed to avoid exposure to the smoke.<\/p>\n