As we head into February, summer has brought a full and fast‑paced season for our brigade, from national wildfire support to local rescues, community sports events, and practical fire‑risk planning. Below are key highlights, lessons learned, and ways you can help keep our community safe.
Tongariro National Park Fire — regional support and hard numbers
What happened: A significant wildfire of 3,000 ha in the Tongariro National Park required a large aerial response, with 22 aircraft involved in suppression and mapping operations.
Our role: Dave Herries was deployed to the incident management team as a planning manager, helping coordinate resources and strategy. Erin Eggleston and Rich Lang supported Interpine Innovation by conducting thermal drone flights and mapping, and by providing critical intelligence on fire behaviour and hotspots.
Fire behaviour: The fire’s intensity was calculated between 7,900 to 19,000 kW/m. For context, anything above 4,000 kW/m is considered too intense for effective head‑on aircraft attack with long‑term retardants and too dangerous for ground crews. Fortunately, favourable winds and timely rain kept the fire front from changing direction and the blaze burnt out on Mt Tongariro without further spread.
Takeaway: High‑intensity fires can exceed the capabilities of both aerial and ground attack; accurate mapping and coordinated planning are essential to protect people and infrastructure.
What happened: A significant wildfire of 3,000 ha in the Tongariro National Park required a large aerial response, with 22 aircraft involved in suppression and mapping operations.
Our role: Dave Herries was deployed to the incident management team as a planning manager, helping coordinate resources and strategy. Erin Eggleston and Rich Lang supported Interpine Innovation by conducting thermal drone flights and mapping, and by providing critical intelligence on fire behaviour and hotspots.
Fire behaviour: The fire’s intensity was calculated between 7,900 to 19,000 kW/m. For context, anything above 4,000 kW/m is considered too intense for effective head‑on aircraft attack with long‑term retardants and too dangerous for ground crews. Fortunately, favourable winds and timely rain kept the fire front from changing direction and the blaze burnt out on Mt Tongariro without further spread.
Takeaway: High‑intensity fires can exceed the capabilities of both aerial and ground attack; accurate mapping and coordinated planning are essential to protect people and infrastructure.
Tarawera Road — trees down during strong winds
At 4:08 pm on 29 December, our crew responded to a tree that had come down across both lanes of Tarawera Road. The Rotorua Fire Brigade quickly closed the road, cleared the debris, and had traffic moving again by 4:36 pm. Fulton Hogan teams supported the remaining clean‑up. Not long after we returned to the station, a second call came in at 5:00 pm. A much larger tree had fallen in an area where vehicles had been queuing only moments earlier. Fortunately, no one was struck or injured.
Steve Gattenby (Lake Tarawera) and Fulton Hogan began work on removing the larger tree, while our crew assisted by moving vehicles away from other hazardous, overhanging trees, then helped with the clean‑up. Tarawera Road was fully reopened at 6:43 pm.
Safety reminder: When clearing branches from the road, live powerlines can be hidden underneath. Look up and live is a simple reminder to always check above you for electrical hazards before you start. Do not drive or park under large overhanging trees during strong winds. If you see a hazard, call it in and move vehicles away from danger. Quick reporting can prevent serious injuries or fatalities.
At 4:08 pm on 29 December, our crew responded to a tree that had come down across both lanes of Tarawera Road. The Rotorua Fire Brigade quickly closed the road, cleared the debris, and had traffic moving again by 4:36 pm. Fulton Hogan teams supported the remaining clean‑up. Not long after we returned to the station, a second call came in at 5:00 pm. A much larger tree had fallen in an area where vehicles had been queuing only moments earlier. Fortunately, no one was struck or injured.
Steve Gattenby (Lake Tarawera) and Fulton Hogan began work on removing the larger tree, while our crew assisted by moving vehicles away from other hazardous, overhanging trees, then helped with the clean‑up. Tarawera Road was fully reopened at 6:43 pm.
Safety reminder: When clearing branches from the road, live powerlines can be hidden underneath. Look up and live is a simple reminder to always check above you for electrical hazards before you start. Do not drive or park under large overhanging trees during strong winds. If you see a hazard, call it in and move vehicles away from danger. Quick reporting can prevent serious injuries or fatalities.
FENZ National Mountain Bike Championship
We hosted the FENZ National Mountain Bike Championship on the 20th and 21st of November, welcoming 72 competitors from around the country. Conditions were excellent on both days, and we wrapped up with a prizegiving at the station.
Daniel Cobb from our brigade took out 1st overall in the enduro event — congratulations, Daniel. Halee Smith from the Rotorua Brigade claimed 1st in the women’s category, and Sam Sutton from the Okere Falls Brigade topped the e‑bike division. Jesse Oppatt and I picked up more modest results, placing 4th and 7th in the open men’s category.
Thanks to Erin Eggleston (event organiser), our volunteer marshals, prize‑giving helpers, Rotorua Spa Shop (ice bath and spa pools), Rotorua Mountain Biking Club (event trailer), Geoff Carter (handmade awards) and all sponsors and partners who provided prizes or funding. Your support helped turn the competition into a truly memorable event.
We hosted the FENZ National Mountain Bike Championship on the 20th and 21st of November, welcoming 72 competitors from around the country. Conditions were excellent on both days, and we wrapped up with a prizegiving at the station.
Daniel Cobb from our brigade took out 1st overall in the enduro event — congratulations, Daniel. Halee Smith from the Rotorua Brigade claimed 1st in the women’s category, and Sam Sutton from the Okere Falls Brigade topped the e‑bike division. Jesse Oppatt and I picked up more modest results, placing 4th and 7th in the open men’s category.
Thanks to Erin Eggleston (event organiser), our volunteer marshals, prize‑giving helpers, Rotorua Spa Shop (ice bath and spa pools), Rotorua Mountain Biking Club (event trailer), Geoff Carter (handmade awards) and all sponsors and partners who provided prizes or funding. Your support helped turn the competition into a truly memorable event.
Rural Fire Risk Planning — FireMapper site inspections
Tai Royal asked for help developing a rural fire risk management plan. On 16 December, Dave Herries and Paul Hunter (Risk and Reduction Advisor, Fire and Emergency NZ) completed a site inspection. Dave mapped access roads, steep terrain, turn‑around areas, structures, hazards (including hazardous chemicals), and water supplies using FireMapper, a secure programme used by Fire and Emergency NZ. Following this, we have mapped TW Moore Quarry, Blue Lake Holiday Park, Playne’s Farm, and we have started residential properties in Lake Ōkāreka.
Why it matters: Having mapped access routes, water supplies and hazardous chemicals saves crucial time during a fire and helps protect people, property, animals and responders.
If you’re interested, and you own a farm or lifestyle block in Lake Ōkāreka, we are happy to carry out a site inspection or talk you through how FireMapper works. Get in touch, and I’ll arrange a visit.
If you have a residential property in Lake Ōkāreka with large LPG cylinders, flammable liquids (such as petrol or diesel), or other hazardous chemicals, please let me know so we can record them in the app.
Tai Royal asked for help developing a rural fire risk management plan. On 16 December, Dave Herries and Paul Hunter (Risk and Reduction Advisor, Fire and Emergency NZ) completed a site inspection. Dave mapped access roads, steep terrain, turn‑around areas, structures, hazards (including hazardous chemicals), and water supplies using FireMapper, a secure programme used by Fire and Emergency NZ. Following this, we have mapped TW Moore Quarry, Blue Lake Holiday Park, Playne’s Farm, and we have started residential properties in Lake Ōkāreka.
Why it matters: Having mapped access routes, water supplies and hazardous chemicals saves crucial time during a fire and helps protect people, property, animals and responders.
If you’re interested, and you own a farm or lifestyle block in Lake Ōkāreka, we are happy to carry out a site inspection or talk you through how FireMapper works. Get in touch, and I’ll arrange a visit.
If you have a residential property in Lake Ōkāreka with large LPG cylinders, flammable liquids (such as petrol or diesel), or other hazardous chemicals, please let me know so we can record them in the app.
Acknowledgements
Thank you to everyone who stepped up this season — our deployed members, local volunteers, partner agencies, Fulton Hogan, Rotorua Fire Brigade, Interpine Innovation, Rotorua Mountain Biking Club, Rotorua Spa Shop, and all sponsors. Your teamwork keeps Lake Ōkāreka safer.
Ngā mihi nui,
Kierin Oppatt - Chief Fire Officer
Lake Ōkāreka Volunteer Fire Brigade
027 777 5130 or [email protected]
Thank you to everyone who stepped up this season — our deployed members, local volunteers, partner agencies, Fulton Hogan, Rotorua Fire Brigade, Interpine Innovation, Rotorua Mountain Biking Club, Rotorua Spa Shop, and all sponsors. Your teamwork keeps Lake Ōkāreka safer.
Ngā mihi nui,
Kierin Oppatt - Chief Fire Officer
Lake Ōkāreka Volunteer Fire Brigade
027 777 5130 or [email protected]
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