A major wildfire broke out over the weekend in Tongariro National Park, New Zealand — the dramatic landscape that served as “Mordor” in The Lord of the Rings trilogy.
Authorities said the blaze destroyed more than 2,500 hectares of alpine vegetation before being extinguished thanks to heavy rains.
Located in the central North Island, Tongariro is New Zealand’s oldest national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its volcanic peaks and hiking trails.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand confirmed that an aerial survey found no new flare-ups. Thick fog earlier hampered firefighting efforts, grounding helicopters and aircraft.
Civil Defence Minister Mark Mitchell told the New Zealand Herald that the cause of the fire remains unknown but added it is likely the result of human negligence.
No buildings were damaged, though several residents and tourists were evacuated over the weekend.
In Tolkien’s fictional world of Middle-earth, Mordor is the Land of Shadow ruled by the dark lord Sauron — now, sadly, reflected in real-life devastation.