Close doors and windows and stop collecting roof water, fire service says.

A large fire has gutted a house in Te Awa, and damaged other houses along the street

One property is threatened by the fire, which has a 1km wide front.

Allan Jessop, 42, and Derek Hammond, 49, both died in a helicopter crash.

A dramatic new stocktake shows climate change is here - and now affecting millions of us.

Fires lit by Andrew Searle over the course of nearly three years cost $640,000 to put out.

Firefighters are experiencing an unprecedented number of callouts, riling some residents.

Muriel Cowan presses her face against the wire security fence now surrounding her home.

Video shows a car parked on the side of the highway completely engulfed in flames.

One dead another serious in the Omanaia crash.

Three crews were sent to both fires but both have been contained.

One person was taken to hospital with moderate injuries after inhaling smoke.

The Cowans' home was incredible. But the blaze only left behind the "hideous".

The fire was located near the scene of another devastating fire last year.

Police have blocked off the road while firefighters fight the fire.

Fires are continuing to burn in Central Otago.

Comment: Threat allegation centres on last month's fires in the Nelson district.

This morning firefighters that remained overnight were dampening hotspots.

Police were notified just after 2pm that someone had been seen trying to start a fire.

Firefighters battling a huge blaze in South Auckland today have now contained the fire.

An electric fence may have sparked a separate fire at Bulls Gorge near Kerikeri

Three vehicles including a campervan have been involved in a fiery crash near Otorohanga

Emergency services are responding to a car fire in Dunedin.

Asian Family Services has started a Givealiitle page to help the women back on their feet.

'It went down really fast, she was lucky to be out when she was,' he said.

Firefighters are battling a large blaze at a house in Napier.

Emergency services were called to the house in Clover Park at 6.50am today.

Residents of tinder-dry region stay ready to flee after second major blaze in weeks.

"She was just sleeping like an angel in her crate when the smoke got her..."

Fine for unlawfully letting off fireworks in public places introduced in 1850