A bush and scrub fire west of Palmerston North has destroyed 80 hectares of forestry. Emergency services were called about 3.55pm on Saturday to the fire on land between Bulls and the Santoft forest in Rangitīkei. The fire, in grazing and pine forest land, covered 30ha on Saturday, but had spread to 80ha by Sunday morning, a Fire and Emergency New Zealand statement said. Fire trucks and helicopters worked through Saturday night to extinguish the fire, which was contained by Sunday morning. At the height of the blaze, there were seven helicopters, 11 fire trucks, three water tankers and support crews from around the region.

Source: Stuff February 09, 2020 08:15 UTC