Winds of up to 140km/h are fanning a large forest fire in Wairarapa this morning and are causing problems for fire crews trying to fight the blaze.
The fire, in a pine forest off Otahome Rd, about 35km east of Masterton, started at around 4am and was thought to have been caused by power lines which run through a road in the forest.
Six fire trucks and two water tankers were in attendance, but area duty fire officer Porky Sexton said the winds made it too dangerous to send helicopters to help.
The fire encompassed about four hectares of forest and risked spreading further.
No houses were immediately threatened by the blaze.
