More firefighters were called in as Pātea vegetation fire spread

Fire crews from Pātea and Hāwera responded to a large vegetation fire on Hukatere Rd on Wednesday afternoon. Photo / NZME

A rubbish fire that spread into vegetation in Pātea required a second-alarm response from fire services to control the blaze.

Fire and Emergency NZ shift manager Shannon Lucas said crews were called to the vegetation fire on Hukatere Rd about 1.50pm on Wednesday.

The call-out was upgraded to a second alarm as the fire spread.

Five fire engines, two tankers and two support vehicles from Pātea and Hāwera attended.

The fire spread to about 20m by 50m, Lucas said.

Fire services left the scene about 2.30pm after extinguishing the blaze.

Eva de Jong is a reporter for the Whanganui Chronicle covering health stories and general news. She began as a reporter in 2023.