Windy, dry conditions fan fires in Bay

by John Cousins | 8th March 2010

A weekend of bush fires in the Bay saw a helicopter and monsoon bucket save a plantation on Matakana Island and a stubborn blaze in the back blocks of Welcome Bay pin down firefighters for more than 24 hours.

Western Bay's principal rural fire officer Barry Low said high winds and dry undergrowth combined to make for a busy weekend for the Greerton Fire Brigade and volunteer firefighters on Matakana Island.

The helicopter stopped the spread of a bush fire on the Omokoroa side of Matakana Island from spreading into a shelter belt and a private plantation.

Mr Low said the helicopter spent about two-and a-half hours fighting the fire which started as a permitted burn-off about 150 metres from the beach.

The alarm was raised about 1.20pm on Saturday when the permit holder was caught unawares by rising winds, and the fire got away on him.

Read more in today's Bay of Plenty Times