Fire crews respond to vegetation fire burning at Brynderwyns in Northland

Smoke from a scrub fire beside a road on the Brynderwyn Hills south of Whangārei is seen from a scenic lookout. Photo / Matt Lang

A scrub fire beside the northbound lane of State Highway One on the Brynderwyn Hills south of Whangārei has been contained.

A Fire and Emergency spokesperson said the fire was under control by 5pm after firefighters were alerted about 2.50pm.

Four houses were evacuated and protected from the fire, wildfire specialist Rory Renwick said.

“We are still working from the side of SH1 — this is affecting traffic, so we ask people to continue to take alternative routes if possible to help us work safely.

“It will take us a few more hours to fully extinguish all the remaining hot spots.”

The blaze was understood to be in trees and scrub and measured 50 metres by 50 metres.

Coffee truck owner Matt Lang was working at the scenic lookout on the Brynderwyn Hills when he saw smoke rising in the distance. Photo / Matt Lang

It was the second fire callout for crews this afternoon, with one truck dispatched to a blaze near Raumanga, south of central Whangārei.

That fire was extinguished at 2.20pm.

More to come.

Brodie Stone covers crime and emergency for the Northern Advocate. She has spent most of her life in Whangārei and is passionate about delving into issues that matter to Northlanders and beyond.