Whangārei residents have been disturbed by the smell of smoke in the air this morning, but Fire and Emergency NZ says not to worry - it is only controlled burns.
Firefighters responded to reports of smoke in Regent just after 7am today, but it was determined to be from a controlled burn.
A Fire and Emergency spokesman said a number of burn-offs will keep burning around Paranui Valley Rd in Tikipunga throughout the day.
It is currently open fire season, and a still day like today is normally the best time for it, the spokesman said.
Fire and Emergency visited the site of the burn-offs yesterday and were happy with them, he added.
