Smoke rises from the out-of-control fire on Saturday afternoon. Photo: Mark Funnell

A fire in Tongariro National Park is still burning out of control with more than 2500 hectares affected and more facilities evacuated.

Conditions are misty in the Tongariro National Park on Monday morning, which has helped limit the growth of the fire overnight.

Fire and Emergency NZ says 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.

The MetService is forecasting rain for the area for most of the week although winds today were expected to be about 40km/h.

Fire and Emergency District Commander Nigel Dravitzki said on Monday morning that the fire size is likely to have increased a little from the estimated 2500 hectares.

A more detailed reconnaissance will be carried out when the weather improves.

Eight crews of Fire and Emergency firefighters from Wellington and Hawkes Bay will be boosting the ground attack on Monday, alongside seven crews from the Department of Conservation, and additional volunteer firefighters from the Central Plateau brigades.

“Many of the local volunteer firefighters have come forward to help today, as they did over the weekend. It’s their whenua and they have a stake in protecting it,” Dravitzki says.

There are 15 helicopters and five fixed wing planes on standby to resume operations when the weather clears.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) is advising people that State Highway 48 and State Highway 47 remain closed between State Highway 4 and State Highway 46 at Waimarino (National Park).

“It is likely these roads will remain closed for at least the next two days as firefighters continue to tackle a large vegetation fire in the Tongariro Forest Park,” NZTA said in a statment released on Monday morning.

Tuwhareto hapu Ngati Hikairo have placed rāhui (temporary prohibition) in place; One for the Tongariro Crossing until November 16 and a long-term ban on recreational use of the burnt areas in Tongariro National Park.

“The hapū requests visitors and the wider community abide by these rāhui and stayaway from the affected areas until further notice.

“The rāhui over the Alpine Crossing is to give time for the maunga to rest and recover. The rāhui over the burnt areas is to enable the natural regrowth and healing of the land.”

The air attack on the Tongariro National Park fire continued until twilight on Sunday, when aircraft were grounded for the night.

Fire and Emergency NZ said at 5.30pm on Sunday, the fire was “20 Percent contained”.

On Sunday FENZ had 12 helicopters and five fixed wing aircraft waterbombing the fire. Another helicopter was being used to coord.inate all of the aircraft movements.

Assistant Commander Craig Gold said the fire covered an estimated 1800 hectares on Sunday afternoon.

Earlier on Sunday afternoon, precautionary evacuations of five facilities in the vicinity of the Tongariro fire were carried out.

They are the Hillary Outdoors Education Centre, the Maungatepopo School Camp, the Old Mill, the Taurewa Lodge and the Avondale College Lodge.

Fire and Emergency Assistant Commander Craig Gold says additional aircraft are being used to fight the fire, with five fixed wing and 12 helicopters being deployed. A small number are still en route.

One of the helicopters is being used to direct the air attack, while the others are waterbombing the fire.

Four fire crews are carrying out firefighting on the ground with additional crews supporting the aircraft operations.

“We are prioritising the air operations for safety reasons and because of their effectiveness in this terrain and over a large fire front,” Craig Gold says.

The fire was 1600 hectares at 2pm on Sunday and as yet not controlled.

Earlier on Sunday morning Fire and Emergency said fresh crews of firefighters from Taranaki and Manawatu-Wanganui were being briefed before beginning work on the second day of operations at the wildfire burning in the Tongariro National Park.

Fire and Emergency NZ also has fire trucks water tankers on the fireground,.

Assistant Commander Nick West said at about 8.30am on Sunday, the fire grew in size overnight and was covering an estimated 1000 hectares.

There are no reports of structures being damaged or destroyed and no residents were evacuated overnight.

An aerial reconnaissance this morning will confirm the extent of the fire.

West says subject to what the overflight shows, it will take a full day of operations to bring the fire under control.

He said the cause of the fire has not been established. A specialist wildfire operator will be working today.

“Residents in the area should take stay alert to the fire, and keep doors and windows shut to minimise exposure to the smoke.

“Anyone who feels unsafe, or is vulnerable to smoke is encouraged to self-evacuate and stay with family or friends.

“Those to the north of the fire should go towards Tūrangi and those to the south of the fire should go towards National Park.

SH47 Waimarino to Tongariro remains closed between the intersections with SH48 and SH46 with no detours available.

The Department of Conservation has closed the Tongariro Crossing and associated areas.

A no fly zone is in place covering the airspace over the fireground and surrounding area, so that firefighting aircraft are not endangered by other aircraft or drones.

Yesterday afternoon, trampers were carried out earlier this evening. If people are aware of friends or family who were planning to be on the Tongariro Crossing or the general area of SH47 and the Maungatepopo Hut today, they should try to get in touch with them and confirm their whereabouts. If they are not able to make contact, please call 111 and advise the Police.

People living in the area should be alert to the fire and any advice from emergency services.

The fire was reported at 3.15pm on Saturday afternoon and 43 trampers were airlifted out of the area by the evening.

If people are aware of friends or family who were planning to be on the Tongariro Crossing or the general area of SH47 and the Maungatepopo Hut were advised to try to get in touch with them and confirm their whereabouts. If they are not able to make contact, they should call 111 and advise the Police.

People living in the area should be alert to the fire and any advice from emergency services.

Fire and Emergency is working closely with the Department of Conservation, Police, Iwi and local council civil defence emergency management staff. “This is a multi-agency response,” Craig Gold says.

“We have identified trigger points for any evacuations, but at this stage none have been required.” Residents in the area should take stay alert to the fire, and keep doors and windows shut to minimise exposure to the smoke. Anyone who feels unsafe or is vulnerable to smoke is encouraged to self-evacuate and stay with family or friends.

SH47 Waimarino to Tongariro remains closed between the intersections with SH 48 and SH46 with no detours available.

The Department of Conservation has closed the Tongariro Crossing and associated areas.

A no fly zone is in place covering the airspace over the fireground and surrounding area, so that firefighting aircraft are not endangered by other aircraft or drones.