Firefighters kept busy in Far North

Around 40 firefighters are trying to protect properties threatened by a blaze at Coopers Beach. Photo / Supplied

At least 100 firefighters are dealing with fires and car crashes throughout the Far North tonight.

Around 40 are trying to protect properties threatened by a blaze at Coopers Beach.

Auckland man Brett Maxwell, who is on holiday at his parent's bach, said the fire started about 10.45pm.

"We're not sure what happened, but we saw a flare being fired off earlier in the night and we're wondering if that started it."

He said police had blocked off State Highway 10 at Cooper's Beach for a while but had started letting cars through again.

Firefighters from around Northland were fighting the blaze.

"It's still burning up the hill, all the firefighters from around Northland are here at the moment," he said.

"It's basically covering the entire face of the hill that we can see from Cooper's Beach."

A Fire Service spokesman said the blaze was hard to access and crews have come from as far away as Kerikeri, Mangonui and Kaitaia.

Meanwhile in Ruakaka, dry conditions have seen a large scrub fire in Peter Snell Road spark other smaller blazes.

Brigades from as far away as Waipu and Whangarei are tackling the fires.

Around 16 firefighters have managed to control a blaze that was threatening homes in Waihuka Road in Omapere.

The Fire Service spokesman said fireworks sparked the blaze, which saw the evacuation of a couple of homes.

Crews are dampening down hot spots.

Firefighters have also responded to car crashes in Kaitaia and Te Kopuru.

One person had to be cut from a vehicle in Kaitaia using the fire brigade's rescue gear.
Police and ambulance also responded to the accident.

And while the Te Kopuru fire brigade was responding to a crash, they were also called to assist in a water rescue - a vessel was in distress off the coast at around 8.30.

- Additional reporting Newstalk ZB