February 8, 2009

Pukeko stand at the edge of burnt swamp land, prodding at what's left of their habitat.
Like the people of nearby YMCA Rd in Opoutama, their home has been left black and singed, at least until new undergrowth appears.
While the wildlife and people of Opoutama are free to rebuild their homes, the hard work for 20 volunteer firefighters at the fire zone continues.
Mahia's Malcolm Smith is the Department of Conservation's Wairoa field centre supervisor. This week he's been in charge of co-ordinating the fire effort over the 140ha block hit by Sunday's inferno.
During that night, he co-ordinated eight helicopters as they flew rotation patterns over the blaze carrying monsoon buckets to douse the flames.
There were 100 firefighters on Monday morning. By Thursday the number had been scaled back to 20, although the fire danger remains high.
On Thursday, Malcolm made time for Hawke's Bay Today to meet some of the volunteers still working on the fire and see the extent of the damage.
He commended the efforts of the Mahia community and emergency services.
'I am a local resident too, and I am really proud of our community for what they have done to support our operations here.
He added: 'I have been involved in fires all over the country but this is a bit too close to home.'
Fire crews remaining were from Taranaki, Bay of Plenty and Gisborne.
Most were away from their day-time jobs, which Malcolm said was part of their 'working conditions' when they signed up.
This week they had used machinery to punch a road through the heart of the fire zone to give crews better vehicle and foot access.
Makeshift ponds were dug into wetland areas, filled with water and connected to a pump, giving crews an on-site source of water.
Water tankers were also stationed on the perimeter and connected to a network of hoses as crews targeted underground hot-spots.
Logs and stumps still smouldering five days after the fire ignited kept everyone alert as water was piped down to douse embers underground.
'What we have is a layer of sand and humus on top which is smouldering away, and it's not always easy to see,' Malcolm said.
Fire crews were expected to work on into next week, when a meeting between the Wairoa District Council, Department of Conservation, Work and Income Support, Te Rakato social services and others would be held to prepare a recovery plan.
The council's chief executive, Peter Freeman, said it probably would not include a relief fund, but may offer counselling and social services.