Firegrounds at Kaikōura and Leader Road at Waiau were expected to be handed back to landowners on Friday. Photo: RNZ/Nathan Mckinnon
Fires that raged in Hawke's Bay and Canterbury this week are mostly contained, with crews on the scene at Porangahau, before a possible wind change later.
In the South Island, crews were expected to remain on the scene of a fire about 4km southeast of Hamner Springs, which saw a few homes and luxury hotel Braemar Lodge evacuated on Thursday
Firegrounds at Kaikōura and Leader Road at Waiau were expected to be handed back to landowners on Friday.
In central Hawke's Bay, two of three fires at Porangahau had been contained on Friday, while crews at Saleyard Bridge had worked to extend the containment of that fire before a wind direction change forecast for late in the day.
Hawke's Bay fires
In southern Hawke's Bay, three fires at Porangahau remained stable, despite strong winds overnight.
On Friday afternoon, Fire and Emergency said 43 staff were still on the ground in the area.
A fire at Bush Road was fully contained and hotspots at the site were being monitored periodically, while a crew of seven remained at the scene of a fire on Schaeffer Road, working to extinguish hotspots, but were expected to finish their work by the end of the day, if the weather allowed.
Meanwhile, heavy machinery and helicopters had been withdrawn from a fire at Saleyard Bridge, but more than 30 fire staff remained at the scene, extending the containment of the fire.
FENZ said the cause of the fires in the area was under investigation.
Canterbury fires
Commander Dave Stackhouse said firegrounds at Kaikōura and Leader Road at Waiau were expected to be handed back to landowners on Friday.
"I would like to thank the community for the support they have shown over the past few days, especially in Kaikōura and Hurunui," he said.
"I also acknowledge the amount of hard work from all of our career and volunteer firefighters to bring these fires under control, and thank the employers of our volunteers for releasing them for an extended period."
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