More than 30 firefighters battling a fire in scrub and pine forest on the east coast north of Whangārei yesterday afternoon managed to save a nearby home and accommodation business.
The alarm was raised about 12.40pm when the fire, near the settlement of Punaruku, north of Ōakura Bay, was the size of a football field and spreading rapidly.
Initially it was reported to be threatening several buildings.
By 3pm a Fire and Emergency spokesman said the blaze had grown from 1ha to about 1.5ha and was being fought by two helicopters with monsoon buckets. The blaze was deemed under control, although firefighters and a helicopter were still working on it about 4.30pm.
Firefighters on the ground included two crews each from Hikurangi and Kamo and one from Russell.