09/11/2025
‼️10am: We have started a fresh post for today's updates (11/11/2025).‼️
⚠️4.15pm update⚠️
A Fire and Emergency observation flight this afternoon has found no visible signs of fire following today’s rainfall.
District Commander Nigel Dravitzki says the rain has had a significant impact in helping to suppress the fire, while ground crews have been working on the flanks of the fire to strengthen the containment lines.
"This is very good news," he says. "Tonight, Fire and Emergency’s specialist drone crew will be using thermal imaging to detect where the hotspots are around the perimeter of the fireground, and tomorrow we will be able to position our ground crews to target those areas."
Iwi, the Department of Conservation and councils are all involved in the discussions about the next steps in the management of the fire.
"We are very mindful that another change in the weather could alter the situation and lead to a resurgence of fire activity, so we are planning for all contingencies," Nigel Dravitzki says.
⚠️2.25pm update⚠️
Conditions on the fireground in the Tongariro National Park have improved significantly today. The steady rain and minimal wind have been a huge help to firefighters, who are working hard to take advantage of the situation.
Ground crews are concentrating on reinforcing the containment lines on the flanks of the fire. Aircraft are still on standby and will be used when needed to support the firefighters.
As a result of the improved situation, residents who were evacuated yesterday from Whakapapa Village and five other properties are able to return home, with a caution that they need to stay alert and be ready to move out again if the situation changes.
People who run businesses from their properties will not be able to have clients or customers on site for now, but that will be reassessed again tomorrow.
Fire and Emergency District Commander Nigel Dravitzki says “I am very aware of the impact that the fire is having on those who draw on the Tongariro National Park for their livelihood,” Nigel Dravitzki says. “We are putting safety first with this decision, and people can be assured that as soon as it is safe to do so, we will restore full access to the public.”
Fire and Emergency also acknowledges the impact that the fire is having on iwi and the conservation estate, as well as the community and visitors.
We are working very closely with manawhenua, the Department of Conservation and both the Ruapehu District Council and Horizons to make sure that local voices are involved in all the big decisions we make about how the fire is managed.
⚠️8am update⚠️
Here is the situation on the fireground this morning:
• Conditions are misty on the fireground this morning, which has helped limit the growth of the fire overnight.
• All aircraft are grounded because of the mist, but firefighters will be on the ground this morning and air operations will resume once the mist clears with 13 helicopters and five fixed wing planes, plus two helicopters managing the air attack.
• We will have eight crews of Fire and Emergency firefighters from Wellington and Hawkes Bay working on the ground, alongside seven crews from the Department of Conservation, and additional volunteer firefighters from the Central Plateau brigades.
• We are so grateful for the community’s support – many local volunteer firefighters have come forward to help today, as they did over the weekend.
Ruapehu District Council Civil Defence Manawatū Whanganui Department of Conservation
