Mangere Mountain fire

Fire on Māngere Mountain: Volcanoes, Vegetation, and 'Who Ordered the Bonfire?'

Auckland's Māngere Mountain turns into a fiery spectacle—did someone forget the marshmallows?

A dramatic scene unfolded on Auckland’s Māngere Mountain as a fire broke out just before 9:30 pm near Domain Road. Firefighters responded promptly, with nineteen crews mobilizing quickly to combat the flames. Smoke from the large fire even drifted as far west as Piha, sending smoke alerts flying and leaving locals wondering if they were in the midst of their very own fiery barbecue gone awry. Fortunately, fire crews managed to contain the blaze, though they kept a vigilant watch over hotspots to ensure the flames didn’t make a comeback.

What caused this late-night inferno? Preliminary reports suggest that the flames may have originated from a bonfire—an innocent gathering that unfortunately turned into an overnight fiasco. Fire and Emergency NZ were quick to react, and residents were left wondering how their peaceful evening next to the volcano turned into a smoky alarm. Albeit entertaining fodder for dinner party conversations, it served as a reminder to always be cautious with fire, especially on landscapes as precious as an Auckland volcano.

As the night turned into morning, the smoke began to dissipate, but not without leaving a trail of blackened vegetation in its wake. Community spirit was palpable, with many locals offering help and support to the emergency crews. Reports indicated a few fresh smoke plumes throughout the day, but again, Fire and Emergency were on it, proving that the fire on Māngere Mountain was not going to bush-whack them into complacency!

Interesting tidbits: did you know that Māngere Mountain is one of several volcanic cones that dot the Auckland landscape? These cones are remnants of volcanic activity that occurred over 50,000 years ago, making them a significant part of New Zealand's geological history. As fires blaze, nature finds a way to recuperate; quickly after such incidents, new life often sprouts from the ashes providing food for thought on resilience and renewal! Keep an eye on your bonfires, folks, and maybe stick to roasting marshmallows next time!