Scrub fire contained in Far North

Firefighters say they have contained a large scrub fire that saw four homes evacuated in the Far North.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand’s Paul Radden said a blaze at Shipwreck Bay, Ahipara, had been contained to 4.6 hectares and major structures in the area had been protected.

Fire services received multiple calls about the fire and at-risk homes were evacuated as crews battled the blaze that spanned five hectares at its height, and broke out early Friday.

Six crews were withdrawn at 5am due to safety concerns, but four helicopters and firefighters on the ground had been attacking it since first light.

The firefighters were all volunteers from Kaitaia, Ahipara, Houhora and Karikari, Radden said. There was also a command unit from Whanga¯ rei.

Radden said water tankers were being brought in to boost supplies as the area was not connected to mains water sources.

He said he had not yet received a report on what had caused the fire.

Maryann Adlam, who lives on nearby Gumfields Rd, said she had never seen a fire so close to her home and it was concerning, even more so if the wind was to change. She said there were about half a dozen homes in danger of the fire.

Phil Irving woke at 3.30am and saw the flames from his window.

Police were in the area assisting with traffic control. Four homes were evacuated overnight on Thursday and there was nothing to suggest so far that the fire was suspicious, a spokeswoman said.

The Northland region has had a total fire ban in force since January 28 after experiencing a hot, dry summer with little rain.

At the time, principal rural fire officer, Myles Taylor, said ‘‘we’re reaching our trigger points’’.

‘‘It’s getting very dry and we’re noticing that fires that are escaping, they are getting harder to put out and so we’re erring on the side of caution,’’ Taylor said.

‘‘Any fires right now would be extremely dangerous.’’