Rotorua volunteer fire fighters assisting with Canterbury bush fires

Rotorua has sent a crew of rural fire fighters to assist with the South Canterbury bush fires.

The large Waimate fire ignited on Tuesday afternoon and later spread into forest areas

The local contingent was quickly assembled by Rotorua District Council (RDC) deputy principle rural fire officer Richard Horn following a request for assistance yesterday evening [22 December] by the National Rural Fire Authority.

Mr Horn says the crew of five, which includes volunteers from RDC, Okareka and West Rotoiti fire crews, left for the South Island this morning and will be fighting fires by the afternoon. The group was joined by five volunteer fire fighters from Timberlands.

“We’re proud of these men who have put their hands up at such short notice to help contain these fires.

“They’re going to be down there until at least Boxing Day, if all goes well, and we appreciate them and their families for sacrificing their Christmas Day together to support our South Island fire fighters and to help South Canterbury residents.”

[ENDS ]

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