Large scrub fire in Opahi Bay

A large scrub fire in Opahi Bay, situated south of Warkworth. Photo / Jason Stewart

A large scrub fire has engulfed a cliff-face in Opahi Bay, about 20km south of Warkworth, tonight.

Twelve fire engines and a helicopter with a water bucket were needed to subdue the blaze, which was first reported at 7.30.

Fire service northern shift manager Jaron Phillips says the fire scorched up to two hectares of cliff-face scrub.

It didn't damage any property and was contained about 10.30, Mr Phillips says.

Nearby resident Jason Stewart, who lives only 500 metres away, raced to the cliff-face with shovels in an attempt to put it out.

"By the time I got down there it was pretty big - way too big for any one person to do anything with a shovel,'' Mr Stewart says.

"It just started to really kick in, it spread a bit. The flames were really starting to leap by then.''

The fire then started to spread into thicker bush, away from the bay, he says.

"It would have been a real challenge it they didn't have that helicopter, that's for sure.''

Mr Phillips says fire crews will return to the scene in the morning.