Fire fighters battling Far North blaze

Fire fighters are battling a blaze in the Far North which has engulfed up to 20 hectares of forest land.

Two helicopters are fighting the fire north of Te Kao, about 46km away from Cape Reinga, which started around 5.30pm.

Fire service spokesman, Jaron Phillips, said Northland fire crews were working to protect homes on the south-west flank of the fire.

There have not been any evacuations and Mr Phillips did not expect there to be any overnight.

"The problem that the firefighters have got is that the fire is inaccessible by foot and road so they can only attack it from the air."

It is not known how the fire started.

Far North fire service spokesman, Myles Taylor, said by 8.30pm 80 per cent of the fire was under control and he anticipated that by 10.30pm it would be completely under control.