Scrub fire at Whakatāne Heads extinguished after nearly six hours

A helicopter is at the scene of a scrub fire on the Whakatāne Heads. Photo / Supplied

A large scrub fire at the Whakatāne Heads has been extinguished after crews spent close to six hours at the scene.

Crews were called to reports of smoke coming from the shrubbery about 1.50pm, a Fire and Emergency NZ spokeswoman said.

She said access had been difficult for firefighters but they arrived to find a 30-metre by 30-metre bushfire.

A helicopter is at the scene of a scrub fire on the Whakatāne Heads. Photo / Supplied

At its peak, six fire crews and a helicopter were at the scene.

No people or surrounding properties were at risk, she said. Crews left the scene about 6.30pm, almost six hours after the initial call-out.

A resident said she understood that the fire was near a walking track on the Ōhope side of the hill.

A helicopter is at the scene of a scrub fire on the Whakatāne Heads. Photo / Supplied