Firefighters battle scrub fire along Auckland's Southwestern Motorway

Firefighters are battling a scrub fire next to the Southwestern Motorway. Photo / NZTA Twitter

Firefighters are battling a scrub fire on Auckland's Southwestern Motorway.

Traffic is heavy near the Mahunga Drive southbound off-ramp, which is beside the blaze, and motorists have been asked to take extra care and expect delays.

The motorway is a main route to Auckland Airport.

The Fire Service said fire crews had requested a water tanker to help extinguish the remaining flames.

NZTA tweeted that the Mahunga Dr southbound off-ramp was closed as fire crews continued to fight the fire.

UPDATE: Mahunga Dr Sth-Bnd off-ramp NOW CLOSED to assist fire services deal with fire. Use Walmsley St exit ^TP
https://t.co/Mkj1MyoTko

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) January 17, 2017

AA Roadwatch advised motorists to expect delays along the Southwestern Motorway with traffic travelling at a slow pace during rush hour.

Video of the fire near Mangere Bridge, which was shared on Twitter by the New Zealand Transport Agency shows thick plumes of smoke.

Sth-Wstn Mwy: Fire services attending scrub fire beside Mahunga Dr Sth-Bnd off-ramp from Mangere Bridge. #TakeExtraCare #Delays ^TP pic.twitter.com/90OhecmCIk

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) January 17, 2017