Victoria has declared a Code Red fire warning in the Wimmera region today, ahead of an expected scorcher.

Firefighters were this evening still dampening down hotspots after a major fire at an Auckland lighting firm opposite St Lukes shopping Mall.

Firefighters battled a blaze at a massage parlour in central Auckland this afternoon.

Northland's high fire risk has prompted a fire boss to send patrols out to prosecute anyone caught ignoring widespread bans.

Extreme weather brings hope of end to decade-long drought.

Killer bushfires like those common in Australia could happen here if people continue to ignore warnings, an expert says.

Fire crews are still dampening down hotspots after a bush fire destroyed one house and forced the evacuation of several others in Roxburgh overnight.

A large fireball erupted from the top of a building on Auckland's waterfront today, followed by billowing toxic smoke.

More fireworks than Guy Fawkes, and plenty of Chinese lanterns, kept Bay of Plenty firefighters hugely busy last night.

More than a quarter of all fire call-outs in the past financial year were false alarms, at a cost to taxpayers of up to $25 million.

A lethal combination of soaring temperatures and high winds gave the New South Wales bushfire season a vicious jolt with more than 80 fires raging across the state.

The sentencing of two companies and a company director over a fatal coolstore explosion in the Waikato has given firefighters closure.