A command centre was set up near the intersections of Waimarama and Kahuranaki Rds, and four helicopters were at work dousing the fire with monsoon buckets, filled with water from the Tukituki River.
Farm workers from the neighbouring area had been called in to assist, and tankers of water in Fulton Hogan and Higgins trucks were made available.
Waimarama Rd was blocked to traffic and was used as a fire-break to stop the blaze spreading further. The road was reopened about 6pm.
With the combination of strong winds, scorching temperatures and tinder-dry conditions the fire by 11am burnt 50ha of grassland and continued to spread to the west.
At one point Fire Service central communications shift manager Carlos Dempsey said there was a 1.5km flame front burning and four houses were under threat from the fire.
One subsequently burned down, and others remained threatened throughout the afternoon.
As the fire continued to rage five helicopters, 40 rural firefighters and more than 20 New Zealand Fire Service firefighters from Auckland, Tararua and Tauranga came to the scene.
A special tactical unit from Wellington with 12 crew members and 45 firefighters from out of the region were due to assist at 5pm.
Heavy machinery was also used with bulldozers, tractors, graders and water tankers on site.
Hastings mayor Lawrence Yule said the state of emergency for the Hastings district was declared due to the fear that if one more fire broke out in the hot, windy conditions there would not be the resources to cope.
"We have had a whole series of fires in the last two weeks as powerlines are arcing on tinder-dry grass and setting off grass fires. We are struggling to keep up with this."
As the day went on there were concerns the fire was heading north so about 37 residents on Craggy Range Rd from 20 houses were also evacuated.
One of these residents said she had seen the smoke but thought she was safe with the direction of wind.
"I guess we were just crossing our fingers the wind wouldn't turn and unfortunately it did."
While she waited with a sense of uncertainty she packed up her valuable items including photographs and prepared her car for a quick escape.
"About an hour later we were told to get out so I grabbed my dog and we all just bolted in to town. It was all pretty scary."
Once safe in the village the resident said as they drove out of the fire-stricken area they could see the smoke moving towards them in the pines.
"Choppers were going over us and you could see their monsoon buckets," she said.
With the road being closed a welfare centre was established at Waimarama Hall for those stranded out at the beach and the another at the Havelock North Function Centre for those stranded in town.
This was stood down about 7.30pm after the road was reopened.
Schools in the area were also notified and earlier in the day two bus loads of school children had to be escorted out of the Waimarama area.
Three classrooms of children from Flaxmere were on a school trip, Newstalk ZB reported, and some were stuck for a time inside the cordon.
Some parents and their children managed to drive out but the rest were escorted out on the buses.
Residents in the Waimarama and Ocean Beach area were asked to conserve water, and a complete outdoor watering ban was imposed to ensure there was enough water in the reservoirs for drinking and to fight fires.
Mr Yule said the reservoir had a two-day supply but with the power off the pump was not able to operate.
"We have to retain that reservoir at all costs, water is a must-have in a situation like this."
Two generators were on hand as backup to the Waimarama water-supply system last night.
In light of the fire, Unison turned off the power to about 700 customers, which was restored to all but eight houses by 7pm last night.
Unison relationship manager Danny Gough said the power company wasn't willing to take any risks and was pleased to say the power was able to be turned back on.
By about 6pm Waimarama Rd was reopened to the public and incident controller Alison Banks said eight overnight fire crews would monitor the fire and concentrate on structure protection; damping down areas around buildings that may be at risk.
"A balance has to be struck between keeping the fire contained and keeping our firefighters safe in what will be challenging conditions," she said.
The main concern to residents near the fire zone will be a change to wind direction this morning, which could fan smouldering embers and push the fire front into a new direction.
Seven firefighting aircraft are expected to be back on duty on this morning, checking the current fire situation at Waimarama as well as checking Ripia River, Puketitiri, Endsleigh Rd, Havelock North, and Colin White Rd, Te Hauke.
Craggy Range Rd and Lopez Lane remained closed last night.
A Hastings District Council spokeswoman encouraged residents to remain vigilant and keep an eye on the council's Facebook page, Hawke's Bay Emergency websites and/or the local radio stations.
More fires
A fire at Colin White Rd (Raukawa) was in grassland with scattered trees. It had burned about 270ha by 9am yesterday. By the afternoon there were still hot spots, with strong winds and high temperatures which could challenge the perimeter.
At Ripia River, northeast of Puketitiri, a fire burned 87ha but was 90 per cent contained by yesterday afternoon.
Mr Yule said the fire was not fought yesterday due to strong winds and partial drizzle.
Another fire at Endsleigh Rd fire was declared out by early yesterday afternoon, and a grass fire south of Te Hauke was under control but being monitored.
