Far North iwi warn people to stay off roads as blaze burns in Cape Rēinga

A Far North Iwi is warning people to keep the roads clear for emergency services as a blaze continues to burn in Cape Rēinga. Photo / Supplied / Ngāti Kuri

A Far North Iwi is warning people to keep the roads clear for emergency services as a blaze continues to burn in Cape Rēinga.

Ngāti Kuri issued the warning after a scrub fire broke out near Twilight Beach at around 3.15pm yesterday.

Four choppers had been helping multiple volunteer fire brigades on the ground fight the flames tearing through mānuka and scrub last night.

The Advocate understands the fire is in an area that is difficult to access.

At 5pm the fire had spread across an area the size of roughly 400 metres by 100m but had grown to cover an area of 150 hectares by morning. Multiple ground crews remain at the scene today as well as several helicopters.

Ngāti Kuri said on social media that the blaze was headed toward Te Rerenga Wairua.

“There are four choppers up there that will not be able to fly once dark.

“At this stage for human safety and making sure emergency services can get there to help please keep off the road.

“Do not head past Te Paki please...pray for our Taonga whānau that they will make it through the night and the wind changes.”

The wind was currently sweeping in from the west with gusts up to 25km/h.

In a social media post this morning, Ngāti Kuri said all walking tracks from Kapowairua (Spirits Bay) to Taputaputa and Cape Reinga through to Kahokawa (Scott’s Point), including the Te Werahi loop track, are closed for the next 10 days or until further notice.

The Houhora Volunteer Rural Fire Force was the first brigade called in but more were dispatched to the blaze, such as Kaitāia.