FENZ incident controller Nigel Dravitski says there are good conditions on Wednesday. Photo: RNZ / Robin Martin
Combined Fire and Emergency and Department of Conservation crews are continuing to put in the 'grunt work' on Wednesday dampening down hotspots in the aftermath of the fire that tore through almost 3000 hectares of Tongariro Park at the weekend.
FENZ incident controller Nigel Dravitski said the headquarters for the fire response had shifted to Whakapapa Village as responsibility for its management transitioned to DOC.
About 35 crews were flying out to the fire ground in a helicopter based at the Chateau Tongariro car park.
"There's good conditions today so we've got crews that have entered the fire ground and are continuing to do their monitoring and controlling."
Scorched bush off SH47. Investigators looking into how the fire started have concentrated their efforts on a stretch of SH47 near the entrance to the Tongariro Crossing. Photo: RNZ / Robin Martin
Dravitski said they were looking for sources of heat or fire from 30m back from the fire across its 35 kilometre perimeter.
"It involves a lot of hard mahi, so digging out and turning out holes. They have things called scotty packs, so they can squirt water into those holes to cool them and take the energy out of them.
"Just really a whole lot of grunt work to be honest."
Dravitski said crews had a successful day on Tuesday following up on thermal imaging data.
"The crews covered a wide area of the fire scene and it was pleasing there was not a lot of sources of fire, so no active flames or smoke but some heat spots that were very minor in the context of the landscape.
He said so far thermal imaging had found very few areas of concern.
The entrance to the Tongariro Alpine Crossing remains closed. Photo: RNZ / Robin Martin
FENZ investigations into how the fire started continue to be focused on a stretch of State Highway 47 close to the entrance of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing.
"That continues to be a point of interest for them and they are continuing their investigation at that point, so we are securing that scene while so they can undertake those tasks."
A police officer was on site and dozens of coloured flags could be seen planted on the scorched bush beside the road.
Dravitski said any results from that investigation would be some days away.
The Tongariro Alpine Crossing and tracks in the vicinity of Whakapapa Village remain closed until at least Monday next week.
Meanwhile, businesses spoken to by RNZ were taking the disruption on the chin.
Mountain Heights Lodge owner Andre Marais said there was little business owners could do about it.
"It is what it is. It happened and we have to move forward from it and see how quickly we can get the tracks and roads open for people to have access to the tracks again."
Andre Marais says there's plenty for visitors to do even with the Crossing and Whakapapa tracks closed. Photo: RNZ / Robin Martin
Marais said it had affected bookings.
"The tourists are a bit scared. They are asking if is safe to come. Can they cancel because of what they see in the media.
"So, yes it is affecting us in the short-term, but if we can turn it around and get the tracks open it should get back up and running."
Marais said there was plenty for visitors to do even with the Crossing and Whakapapa tracks closed.
"There's a lot of short tracks and beautiful things in the area to see. In Ohakune there's still a lot of tracks in that area you can still do, so there's no reason to cancel because there's a lot to do in the area."
Schnapps owner Scott Graham and his daughter Libby. Photo: RNZ / Robin Martin
Schnapps Restaurant owner Scott Graham could live with the Crossing being reopened next week.
"That's great, the sooner the better it's what the area relies on the tourism."
He lost booking on Sunday but otherwise was holding up okay.
"What can you do about it? It is what it is and we're just hoping that it opens up soon and business gets back to usual."
Danish tourists Aia (left) and Moltke-Leteh. Photo: RNZ / Robin Martin
Danish tourist and Lord of the Rings fan Moltke-Leteh was feeling a bit disappointed.
"We were supposed to do the Tongariro Crossing today but it got cancelled unfortunately because of the fires.
"I'm very sad it was a big highlight of the trip for me. I'm a big Lord of the Rings fan, so that was obviously a bit highlight.
"We did go on another beautiful hike and now I have an excuse to come back, but obviously it was a bummer it got cancelled when we had taken such a long trip."
Her friend Aia was consoling herself that they had got to walk the Old Coach Road.
"It was pretty cool we got to see the old bridge, but of course it was nothing like all the volcanic lakes and lava forms we were hoping to see."
The women were hoping to make up for their disappointment with a trip to Weta Workshop in Wellington.
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