Firefighters battle hotspots after scrub fire on Mount Wellington

A scrub fire broke out on the western side of Mt Wellington in Auckland shortly after 4:00 PM on Sunday, prompting a significant response from Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ). Large clouds of smoke were visible as crews worked to contain the blaze.

Fire Response and Containment

By 5:30 PM, 28 firefighters were actively dampening down hotspots. Crews were dispatched from Mt Wellington, Remuera, St Heliers, Ōtāhuhu, and Ōtara to combat the vegetation fire. A helicopter initially assisted but was later stood down.

Did You Know? Firefighters from five different Auckland stations responded to the blaze on Mt Wellington.

Witnesses reported seeing “a lot of smoke rising” near the intersection of the Mount Wellington Highway and the Panmure Highway, accompanied by sirens. One observer noted seeing a single fire truck on the northern side of the maunga.

Police Presence

Police personnel were also present at the scene, assisting with traffic management and ensuring public safety. The extent of the fire’s spread remains undetermined, as FENZ has not yet released information regarding the total area affected.

Expert Insight: The rapid deployment of multiple fire crews suggests a proactive approach to containing the blaze, particularly given the potential for vegetation fires to spread quickly under certain conditions. The use of a helicopter initially indicates an assessment of the fire’s scope and potential need for aerial suppression.

A video shared with RNZ depicted substantial grey smoke plumes rising from the mountain.

Frequently Asked Questions

When did the fire begin?

The fire broke out shortly after 4:00 PM on Sunday afternoon.

How many firefighters were involved?

By 5:30 PM, 28 firefighters were working to extinguish the blaze.

Was the fire contained?

Firefighters were working on dampening down hotspots, indicating the fire was under control but not fully extinguished.

What factors might influence the speed at which firefighters can fully extinguish the remaining hotspots on Mt Wellington?