In an exclusive interview, we dive into the recent wildfire incident at Whangamarino Wetland, located in New Zealand’s North Island. Reported on October 23, authorities from New Zealand’s Fire Department confirmed that after three days of concerted firefighting efforts, the blaze has now been brought under control.

The fire broke out on October 21, engulfing an area of 1,024 hectares with an approximate perimeter of 15 kilometers. The Fire Department received the first emergency alert at around 1:15 PM local time on the 21st and mobilized their resources immediately. By October 23 at 5 PM, aerial firefighting operations were suspended, indicating progress in controlling the fire. Investigations into the cause of the blaze are still ongoing, and fortunately, there have been no reported injuries.

As detailed by the New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation, firefighters relied on aerial support for their efforts, as heavy machinery could not be deployed in the wetland’s challenging terrain, which made establishing fire breaks difficult. A remarkable effort involved 50 firefighters, along with seven helicopters and two fixed-wing aircraft working tirelessly to combat the flames.

Mark Tinworth, a representative from the Fire Department, stated that firefighters will continue to remain on standby at the location since wildfires in peat and wetland areas can take considerable time to fully extinguish.

Whangamarino Wetland, nestled in the Waikato region, spans nearly 7,000 hectares, making it the second-largest freshwater wetland on New Zealand’s North Island. It is also part of the Arawai Kākāriki Wetland Restoration Programme, which identifies this site as one of three nationally significant wetlands in the country.

Niwha Jones, the Waikato Operations Manager for the New Zealand Department of Conservation, highlighted the significance of the wetland, pointing out that the fire occurred in its central marshlands. This area houses the largest dome peat swamp and is one of the few remaining such swamps in the Southern Hemisphere. It hosts an incredibly rare ecosystem, serving as a habitat for endangered bird species and one of New Zealand’s largest carbon sinks.

Jones emphasized that Whangamarino is internationally recognized for its ecological importance and rich biodiversity. While the incident raises concerns, he cautioned that it’s still too early to assess the full impact of the fire on the wetland and its ecosystem.