Firefighters to stay at Kerikeri airport

Firefighters expect to remain at a scrub fire in Northland, which closed Kerikeri airport and forced the evacuation of some buildings, for most of the day dampening down hot spots.

The scrub fire near the airport began about 3.30pm yesterday and although it was brought under control and contained, it smouldered for most of the night.

Several planes were removed from airport hangars as a precaution.

Some flights were affected as Kerikeri airport runway was covered with smoke as the fire burnt through about 20 hectares of scrub.

Firefighters were relieved last night by fresh crews and four helicopters fought the blaze with monsoon buckets.

The fire caused power cuts in Kerikeri as it burned near overhead lines.

Fire Service spokesman Mau Barbara said a water tanker was sent into the area about 7.30am today.

"They are going to be there for most of the day mopping up and dampening down hot spots. There will be a lot of smoke in the air," he said.

"Big fires like that take a while to get down. A good downpour would not go amiss."

The Far North is suffering through its worst drought since the early 1980s.

- NZPA