Residents in the Far North town Kaimaumau were being evacuated on Sunday evening as firefighters battled a massive scrub fire that had grown to 600 hectares.
The fire at Kaimaumau looking across from Doubtless Bay in the Far North. Photo: Supplied/Mary-Jane Hoult
A nearby school and marae are offering accommodation, and Civil Defence is helping.
Fire and Emergency district manager for Northland, Wipari Henwood, said the fire spread faster than expected due to the weather conditions and poses a risk to the township.
"As the wind drops and temperate cools at night, it should slow the fire down."
Henwood said crews will reinforce a containment line around the Kaimaumau township at first light, to protect the properties.
"Crews from Whangarei and Kaitaia specialising in structure protection will join the existing ground crews, along with nine helicopters."
The blaze has been burning for more than 24 hours, and today around 20 firefighters, along with seven helicopters, worked to contain the fire.
The fire is on Department of Conservation land.