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News

Coastal Walkway fire damages public reserve

Local News Featured news
PUBLISHED: 26 FEB 2025
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NPDC staff will this week survey the damage caused by an overnight fire along the Coastal Walkway near Hickford Park.

The fire is along a 300m area of land below the cycle park, and fire crews were working overnight to get the fire under control.

NPDC Manager Parks and Open Spaces Conrad Pattison says early reports are that pine and macrocarpa trees could be badly affected.

“We may have lost some fencing in the reserve too but we’ll know more once staff have had a chance to visit the site,” he says.

“The priority right now is making the area safe again,” says Conrad.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand Taranaki District Manager David Utumapu says dry conditions contributed to the speed of blaze, which burned a hectare of vegetation last night.

“Outdoor fires are restricted in Taranaki right now because the summer has been so hot and dry this year,” he says.

“This means that no fires should be lit without a permit, and everyone needs to take care when lighting fires, or doing any work that could start a fire – such as welding, chainsawing or mowing.

“Always head to www.checkitsalright.nz to check the daily fire risk and see if you need a permit in your location.

“We appreciate those people who got their fire permits from us first, and took the right steps to make sure their fires were safe.”

The Coastal Walkway remains open through Hickford Park.

Fast facts:

  • NPDC looks after 1,600ha of park and reserve land and 82km of walkways throughout the district.
  • The Coastal Walkway, which runs through Hickford Park, is 13.2km long. Work is underway to extend the Coastal Walkway to Waitara.

 

Caption: The fire near Hickford Park burned into the night and was still smouldering along the beach this morning.

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Page last updated: 11:25am Wed 26 February 2025

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