Slow progress being made on scrub fire in Taheke, Far North

About 20 contracted crew were working hard to to contain the Taheke fire yesterday. Photo / NZME

Fire and Emergency crews are still battling a scrub fire in the Far North in Taheke.

The blaze covers about 7 hectares and is 70% contained.

On Friday, one helicopter was on site as of 3pm and a digger assisted around 20 contracted crew to dampen down the perimeter.

Kaikohe chief fire officer Bill Hutchinson said crews were working hard to contain the fire.

Because the wind was picking up it was likely they would be working over the weekend.

He also said the environment for crews was challenging.

“It’s volcanic. It’s like being on a pile of hangi.

“You could be walking along and the next minute you’re up to your knees.”

He said holes in the ground and stumps that had been burned out were a hazard for crews.

Hutchinson had also attended hotspots at another fire on Jordan Rd on Friday.

That fire started on Thursday about the same time as the main Horeke Rd fire.

The structure that was previously at risk at the main fire was no longer under threat, he said.

Crews were alerted to the blaze about 12.45pm on Thursday and found the fire was spreading quickly to around 10ha.

Two helicopters were on the scene, alongside eight trucks and a water tanker.

Brigades from Kawakawa, Ōkaihau, Rawene, Tōwai, Whangārei and Kaikohe were among those attending.

Northland is currently under a restricted fire season.

All fire permits have been suspended until further notice and will be reviewed on Sunday.

This means no outdoor fires are allowed.

“The fire danger is increasing in Northland, so please take extreme care with anything that could cause a fire,” Fenz Northland district commander Wipari Henwood said.

Fenz Northland group manager Denis Cooper said the region could move into a prohibited fire season if favourable conditions for fires continued.

Brodie Stone is an education and general news reporter at the Advocate. Brodie has spent most of her life in Whangārei and is passionate about delving into issues that matter to Northlanders and beyond.