Burnoffs choked several kilometres of State Highway 2 in thick smoke, potentially causing one nose-to-tail crash and forcing police to close the road.
Emergency services responded on Saturday morning to a two-vehicle crash in Ōtāne, Hawke's Bay, about 9.30am that police initially reported was caused by smoke from a burn-off.
There were no injuries in the crash.
The road was closed with diversions for long weekend motorists. At 11.07am, motorists were allowed back on the road but a temporary speed restriction was in place.