Scrub fire has positive outcome

 

Two careless teenagers were found responsible for starting a fire in scrubland at Mangawhai Heads recently.

Around noon on November 10, eight fire appliances from Mangawhai, Kaiwaka, Waipu and Paparoa plus two helicopters from Whangarei collecting sea water were called to the scene as fire engulfed five hectares up the north-eastern side of the beachfront headland, fuelled by pampas grass and changing winds.

Though the north eastern side was completely engulfed, due to the swirling winds the fire changed direction wrapping itself around the cliff face where fire officers were gradually able to bring the blaze under control.

The car park at the surf club was evacuated as the fire crept to a little more than 50metres away, and even closer to a number of very valuable Wintle St properties, several of which were vacant at the time.

Two 15-year-olds from West Auckland holidaying with Mangawhai relatives admitted to starting the fire and have been referred to the police Youth Aid section.

“To the boys’ credit, they were truthful and owned up immediately,” said Mangawhai senior constable Graham Gough. “They had been lighting fires on the beach and things got out of control. Fortunately there was no property damage but our beautiful reserve is charred and blackened once again," he added, referring to an earlier incident in 2006 when a similar blaze was started by errant fireworks

While few would see the fire in a positive light, local paraglider Mike Ferguson has been able to capitalise to some degree following the clearing of burnt debris. After the 2006 fire, the only thing that grew back on the site was gorse and pampas. Now without the impediment of the scrub Ferguson has been able to mark out a new launch area on the site that has been burnt and the now improved the access to the site and the knoll.

“This would be one of the best sites in New Zealand for coastal soaring and I’m looking at Sunday November 30 as a working bee and have organised Auckland Paragliding Club members to come up and replant that top of the knoll,” says Ferguson.

While the area from the beach currently looks like a moonscape, thanks to Julie Blanchard native plants and flaxes have been donated for the re-planting effort. As well, a truckload of mulch thanks to Regan from Orang Otang has been delivered within 50metres of the site thanks to nearby home owner Natalie Alispahic granting access.

For anyone in the area Ferguson does offer the warning: “If you see stakes up there please leave them so the volunteers know where to plant and regrass.”

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