Eight fire crews will continue to monitor the Waimarama fire overnight, which burnt a house to the ground, forced residents to evacuate and put the Hastings district in a state of emergency today.
A Hastings District Council spokeswoman said crews will be concentrating on ensuring buildings are protected.
The main concern to residents near the fire zone will be a change to wind direction tomorrow morning, which could fan smouldering embers and push the fire front into a new direction.
Hastings Civil Defence staff are working until 10pm tonight and will resume at 7am tomorrow morning.
Waimarama Road re-opened to the public at 6pm tonight but Craggy Range Road (off Tukituki Road) and Lopez Lane remain closed.