Waiuku Forest temporarily closed to public

As the result of a large wild fire on New Years day, the Waiuku Forest is temporarily closed to the public while forest workers work to make the area safe.

Around 15 hectares of Waiuku Forest was destroyed by the fire on 1 January, requiring the help of four helicopters with monsoon buckets, fire fighters from Waiuku, Pukekohe, Tuakau and Awhitu, as well as specialist Department of Conservation fire crews over several days.

Waikato Principal Rural Fire Officer Andy Baker said the fire is yet to be formally declared out and reignition remains possible.

“The damage caused to still standing trees as well as hurriedly constructed fire breaks with heavy machinery from the neighbouring NZ steel mine site means that forest crews are having to methodically work their way through the affected area to ensure the risk to forest users from falling trees and branches damaged by the fire is reduced,” he said.

Mr Baker and senior Crown Forestry representatives met at the forest recently to inspect the damage and assess the danger to forest users and the rest of the forest.

“The decision to close the forest to the public is not one we have taken lightly as the forest is well used by a number of groups and individuals. However this must be weighed up against public safety and the protection of the forest itself and the steel sand mine site which would be directly threatened if a fire became established within the forest.

“The situation will be monitored on a daily basis and the forest will be reopened to the public as soon as it is safe to do so,” Mr Baker said.

Crown Forestry manager Mike Power said damaged trees and areas of hot spots from the fire are a real source of danger to members of the public and as the forest owner they have an obligation to make sure the area is as safe as possible before allowing access again.

“The damage to the trees, particularly along the coastal fringe is considerable and with strong coastal winds the potential for trees or branches to fall or hot spots to re-ignite is relatively high,” he said.

Waikato District Council as the Rural Fire Authority has restricted access to the forest area under S.32 of the Forest and Rural Fires Act 1977.

For more information on the status of public access to Waiuku Forest visit Waikato District Council’s website www.waikatodistrict.govt.nz