Firefighters battling out of control scrub fire near Kaipara

Photo / File

A second helicopter equipped with a monsoon bucket has been scrambled to help fire fighters tackle a spreading scrub fire near Kaipara.

The fire, now covering 10 hectares, was consuming scrub near sand dunes north of the Kai Iwi lakes, Northern Fire Communications shift manager Jaron Phillips said.

The fire was being tackled from two flanks, with the monsoon bucket equipped helicopters dumping water on the blaze from either side.

Ground crews had been scaled back, however two water tankers remained, Mr Phillips said.

"The wind is pushing it toward the beach which is good news."

Crews from Dargaville and Te Kopuru were responding to the blaze, Mr Phillips said.

No properties were threatened by the fire, he said.