Kaye Paardekooper runs the Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat, which was in the path of this week's massive fire in the Mackenzie. A helicopter equipped with thermal imaging and GPS mapping equipment has completed an overflight of 3000 hectares of fire damaged terrain in the Mackenzie on Wednesday morning, enabling crews to focus efforts on problem areas. Mackenzie District Council Emergency Operations Centre public information manager Chris Clarke said the affected area, which extends to a perimeter of 31 kilometres, has been refined due to more accurate mapping. Clarke said weather conditions in the Lake Pukaki area were dry and clear on Wednesday with light winds from the south. “Crews are removing fuel sources and using thermal imaging to make sure the fire is completely out within that 50-metre circle to ensure a safety zone around the properties.

Source: Stuff September 01, 2020 23:37 UTC