Fire crews battle large scrub fire in Taupo

A large scrub fire in Taupo has been extinguished, but will continue to be closely monitored for hot spots, a fire spokesman says.

Seven fire appliances were called to Broadlands Rd in Taupo at around 3pm today to deal with the rapidly spreading blaze.

A northern fire communications spokesman said several fire crews were called to the scene, behind the Taupo Golf Club, but "due to the geothermal nature of the area, we were reluctant to have ground crews deal with the blaze".

Fire crews from Tokoroa and Rotorua were called on to help but by 6.30pm it had been "left to two helicopters to deal with the bulk of it, with rural fire services working on the flanks of the fire".

The spokesman told the Rotorua Daily Post helicopters would likely be dousing the area well into the night.

"Often with fires like this it needs monitoring so I wouldn't be surprised if fire services were out checking for hot spots tomorrow morning."

Onlookers reported the fire to be a long line of flames rather than one big blaze and it was visible from State Highway 1.

Several people were evacuated from the golf club.

Earlier:

A large scrub fire is underway on Broadlands Rd in Taupo.

A northern fire communications spokesman said three crews were at the scene, behind the Taupo Golf Club, and five were on the way.

Fire crews from Tokoroa and Rotorua have been called on to help and a helicopter was en-route to assist.

Onlookers have reported the fire to be a long line of flames rather than one big blaze and it was visible from State Highway 1.

A police spokesman said no roads had been reported closed at this stage.