Police are investigating a find at a suspicious fire in the Far North as fire fighters warn the region is tinder dry.
The blaze, at Vujcich Rd, Whirinaki, started about 11.40am yesterday and covered about two hectares of scrub. Two helicopters were called in to fight the flames, which were put out after about three hours, but firefighters were expected to be still on the scene today in case the flames flared up in the dry conditions.
Firefighters made an unusual discovery during the fire - parts of a dumped hydroponic cannabis growing set-up - and called in police, who will also look into the cause of the blaze.
Also yesterday, a small rubbish fire spread into about one hectare of bush at Waima, before being put out by the Kaikohe Fire Brigade.
Meanwhile, two close calls in less than 36 hours prompted a warning from Kaitaia's chief fire officer yesterday, that the Far North was getting very dry and the time to take extreme care with matches had arrived.