Fire crews were to remain on high alert today watching for flare-ups in a Northland pine plantation.
Fire swept through part of the forest near Puhipuhi before 50 firefighters were able to control the blaze on Tuesday.
About 10ha of pine trees were destroyed in a 300ha Rayonier plantation, 30km north of
Whangarei.
Fire crews were expected to stay in the forest until the end of the week as a precaution, Whangarei District Council principal rural fire officer Kevin Ihaka said.
"Material like stumps and logs can smoulder for days and if the wind was to get up it could fan the fire back into life," Mr Ihaka said.
Most of the firefighters who had fought the blaze left about 9.30pm on Tuesday but Rayonier fire crews were on standby all night to deal with flare-ups.
"They had several small outbreaks over night but they were contained very quickly," Mr Ihaka said.
The fire crews continued to mop up the area yesterday and last night.
"There was a little bit of smoke here and there. The Rayonier crew was due to return early this morning to do mopping up to make sure it is completely out."
Mr Ihaka said a fire examination would be carried out to determine the cause. "We can narrow down the point of origin from the burn patterns and we will be collecting physical evidence from the site."
- NZPA
