While a prediction of sunny weather for the rest of the month will be good news to sunseekers, it's unlikely to be welcomed by those suffering from dry conditions.

Wind has blown down power lines in central Auckland, cutting power to 1300 homes in Newmarket.

The firefighting pilot who escaped a helicopter crash unscathed says he's happy nobody was hurt and doesn't think mechanical failure or pilot error caused the crash.

Firefighters warn it could take days, even weeks, to totally extinguish a massive Marlborough fire that broke out yesterday.

As large-scale scrub fires continue to burn across tinder-dry farmland, the Fire Service says the country has seen a 50 per cent jump in the number of rural fires this year.

A fire that started in Marlborough overnight continued to rage today. Homes have been threatened from the fire blazing through 150ha of scrub near Onamalutu.

Hundreds of firefighters are battling large scrub blazes as dry weather has created tinderbox conditions across the country, the Fire Service says. Blazes in Canterbury, Marlborough and Manawatu are keeping about 330 firefighters busy.

Hundreds of firefighters are battling large scrub blazes as dry weather has created tinderbox conditions across the country, the Fire Service says.

A 47-year-old helicopter pilot made a lucky escape after his machine crashed while battling a blaze which was raging out of control in Marlborough today.

Police are still unable to determine what caused a house fire that killed three people in November, but say they are committed to finding answers.

As temperatures soar above 30C across parts of the country, so has demand for firefighters as tinder-dry conditions create the perfect environment for forest and scrub fires.

Firefighters remained at the scene of fierce bush fire in West Auckland overnight to ensure there were no further outbreaks.

Fire crews around the South Island were kept busy with three large and a number of small fires overnight.

The firefighter who rescued a kitten trapped in the dashboard of a Tauranga car has been described as the "finest cat whisperer".

Fire crews are fighting a "well involved" house fire in Stanmore Bay on the Whangaparaoa Peninsula, north of Auckland.

A television ad for V Energy Drink showing a man on fire has been pulled after complaints from members of the public and the Fire Service.

Three heroes have been honoured for their bravery after they jumped into a freezing stream to rescue the passengers of a submerged car near Waimate.

The 18-month-old toddler injured when his Mount Wellington home went up in flames on Saturday remains in a critical condition in Middlemore Hospital.

The head of fire investigations in the country says the recent spike in fatal house fires has "no rhyme or reason".

Stocky 45-year-old man was charged with male assaults female and assaulting with intent to injure.

A man police were seeking following a death at a rural West Auckland address last night has been found in Wanganui.

Fireworks may deliver more fizz than bang with most of the country in for wet weather this Guy Fawkes night.

Summer is nearing as clocks move forward an hour over the weekend for daylight saving.

A bagpiper will lament the victims of the September 11 attacks in New York at a memorial at Christchurch today.

A fire has severely damaged a unit in Auckland's Mt Eden.

Firebugs struck in Auckland last night, damaging a South Auckland school, four cars and a garage.