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.

A firefighter is angry that his bosses have been recognised with Queen's Service Medals, but not the men who risked their lives.

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 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.

Big fines and reparation bills have been given to two companies and a company director charged over last year's fatal Waikato coolstore fire.