Waiharara fire investigation report released

Today Fire and Emergency has released its findings into the origin and cause of the wildfire at Waiharara in Northland, and senior managers have met with the local community to explain the findings.

The wildfire a year ago was devastating for the local community, and hugely destructive of a nearby wetland area.

The fire actively burned from mid-December 2021 to early February 2022, and led to Kaimaumau residents being evacuated from their homes twice.

The investigation report(external link) concluded that the fire was caused by a permitted land clearing burn-off on private property that was not fully extinguished. Several days after the burn-off, a stray ember blew into nearby grasses and then got out of control.

'A number of factors contributed to the spread of this fire including heavy dry fuels, high temperatures and strong gusty winds,' Te Hiku Region Manager Ron Devlin says.

'Fire and Emergency also investigated whether there were any grounds for prosecution, and we have determined that there is insufficient evidence to carry out any prosecution in relation to this fire.'

Northland District Manager, Wipari Henwood, says battling the fire was intense. 

'In total the fire consumed around 2800 hectares, more than half of which was conservation land. Firefighters fought the fire for 50 days before it was safe to hand back to landowners,' he says.

Ron Devlin also says the fire has not yet been declared out.

'While there is no active flame or smoke at present, it could potentially be burning underground. We will continue to monitor the fire ground vigilantly over summer.'