NewzVille International
Fire and Emergency New Zealand reported on Sunday that eight helicopters and three planes are battling a wildfire that has scorched around 1,100 hectares in Tongariro National Park.
Aerial reconnaissance is underway to assess the damage, with full containment expected after a day of intensive operations. Ground efforts are being supported by six fire trucks and five tankers.
Authorities said forty hikers were airlifted to safety on Saturday, while nine more were evacuated on Sunday morning. Overnight firefighting operations were paused for safety due to the rugged terrain of this popular hiking region in New Zealand’s central North Island.
