KEY POINTS:
Firefighters could spend the next fortnight dampening hot spots from a blaze on Mahia Peninsula and while they do so the risk of flare-ups remain, authorities say.
Firefighters eventually quelled the disastrous scrub blaze on the peninsula, south of Gisborne, yesterday, but were unable to prevent the destruction of eight buildings.
The fire which started on Sunday night burned through 140ha of forest and scrub.
Conservation Department (DOC) spokeswoman Jill Hudson said that the fire was now well under control with crews from outside Hawke's Bay preparing to return home for the long weekend.
However, the local fire crews that remained could be busy for up to a fortnight dampening hot spots.
"There are some very mature old trees that have gone down and they have extensive root systems in very sandy soil so it's likely firefighters will be busy for quite some time," she said.
"If there were strong winds it is possible it could flare up. That's why it's so important to make sure it's fully extinguished."
She said Mahia residents and visitors should report any signs of fire.
Firefighters were still in the process of contacting landowners whose properties had been burned.
The National Incident Management Team - a team of rural firefighters from throughout New Zealand, handed over to East Coast fire crews today.
Residents were given the all-clear to return to their homes yesterday.
- NZPA
