Ruakākā firefighters battling rubbish fire

Large plumes of smoke can be seen from Parua Bay, understood to be from an out-of-control rubbish fire in Ruakākā. Photo / Karina Cooper

Strong winds were the cause for a rubbish fire to get “out-of-control” on a farm block in Ruakākā this Thursday.

Ruakākā fire chief Warren Marshall said the fire which lasted for two hours had burnt through more than an acre of rural scrubland before being doused.

Out-of-control fire in Ruakākā.

At 3.18pm, firefighters were alerted about a rubbish fire. Passersby reported seeing strong winds carrying plumes of smoke across Whangārei Harbour toward Whangārei Heads and could also be seen from Onerahi.

Marshall said they believed the block owner was burning some rubbish when it quickly went out of control.

“The wind was blowing at a speed of about 25 knots which is quite excessive when lighting a fire.”

Including Ruakākā, four other fire brigades from Waipu, Mangawhai, Paparoa, and Maungakaramea were called to battle the raging fire.

Marshall said people intending to burn rubbish or start a bonfire should keep an eye out on the weather, especially when the wind picks up.

“It only takes a moment of error before something gets out of control,” Marshall said.