Crews faced a large Central Plateau blaze on Tuesday, while new permit requirements took effect in parts of the Bay of Plenty.
A fire in the Waiouru military training area had spread across 3,800 hectares on Tuesday, but easing winds allowed aerial firefighting to resume in the afternoon, RNZ reported on 27 October.
Five ground crews were working along the western flank, while seven helicopters resumed operations to limit the spread along the eastern perimeter. Fire and Emergency said light rain was helping, although fully containing and extinguishing the blaze could take several days.
In Roxburgh, firefighters returned to remaining hot spots after overnight rain helped bring a separate vegetation fire under control. Central Otago Mayor Tamah Alley told RNZ the last evacuated residents were heading home on Tuesday morning. That recovery did not mean the Waiouru fire was contained. Fire and Emergency advised Roxburgh residents affected by smoke to stay indoors and close windows and doors.
Separately, a restricted fire season began at 8am on Tuesday in parts of the Bay of Plenty, requiring permits for outdoor fires until further notice.
Fire and Emergency listed Whakatāne, Waihau Bay, Ōpōtiki, Coastal Strip, Urewera, Galatea, Plateau North and Plateau Central as affected areas. Residents should check their exact location rather than assume the restrictions cover the entire region.
The agency said the district had experienced more than 70 fires in the past month. It linked the earlier restrictions to unusually dry winter and spring conditions and the seasonal outlook.
Anyone planning an outdoor fire can check local conditions and permit requirements at checkitsalright.nz. Fire and Emergency also urged people not to light fires in windy conditions or leave them smouldering.
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