Firefighters rush to Taupo bush blaze

The bush fire is near Ohaaki Rd and Te Toke Rd in Taupo. PHOTO/Glenn Taylor

Emergency services rushed to battle a bush fire near Taupo this afternoon.

A police spokeswoman said the call about the fire, near Ohaaki Rd and Te Toke Rd, came in at 4.30pm.

Fire Service assistant area commander Colin Russell said they found a fire near the Ohaaki Power Station. He said it was progressing quickly and covered five hectares at its peak.

"Currently we have four crews deployed working on the rear flanks and two helicopter operating with monsoon buckets on the head of the fire.

"We are definitely making an impact on it."

Russell said the terrain was mostly farmland and scrub. The fire was not threatening any buildings.

Johnny Lamb, who works nearby at Permapine, knew there was a fire but had no idea how large it might be. She said she could see smoke in the sky.