We came back from Waikanae yesterday afternoon to find the Hutt Valley lined with smoke. I drove down the Eastern Hutt Road and we came around a corner to see a helicopter flying over the hills above Naenae. Pulling over we got out and watched with a small crowd of people as fireman pushed through burnt scrub up on the hill, heading towards the clouds of billowing smoke. The helicopter would swoop around the hill, fly to the smoldering source and dump a load of water before flying off to refill.
Photo by Brendon & Keryn
The smoke would occassionally part to reveal tall flames, the fire apparently reaching a new spot of dry wood. We stayed for a while, driving off to try and see where the helicopter was refilling but failing as all the nearby roads were blocked. The fire was under control as night fell.
Photo by Brendon & Keryn
