New Zealand / Regional

Northland scrub fire contained

21:41 pm on 20 February 2013

Firefighters are scaling back their efforts to contain a large blaze in Northland.

The blaze, which is half a kilometre wide, has been burning since Tuesday night at Tapora, on the Okahukura Peninsula on the eastern side of the Kaipara Harbour.

It has scorched through nearly 65 hectares of wild pines, gorse, pampas and coastal scrub land.

The Rural Fire Service says a skeleton crew of 12 firefighters will work overnight on Wednesday. Fifty-five firefighters had been battling the blaze earlier in the day.

It says one part of the fire is still causing problems, but doesn't expect it to spread any further.