15 Oct 2013

Fire crews battling blaze near Gisborne

5:49 pm on 15 October 2013

Fire-fighters in Gisborne are hoping a forecast southerly change on Tuesday evening will help contain a large blaze in a pine forest in the Waimata Valley near the city.

The fire broke out early on Tuesday afternoon, fed by high winds associated with a storm that has swept up the country.

Rural fire crews and special forestry teams are fighting the blaze in an old forest block that covers about 23 hectares. The fire has taken root in debris left after trees on the block were felled.

The district's principal rural fire officer,Rene Londeman, says they hope the southerly will lower the winds and perhaps bring some showers also.