Firefighters mop up blaze's hot spots

Firefighters were yesterday trying to mop up a fire that ravaged forest and wildlife in Northland for three days.

Department of Conservation firefighters largely brought the fire in Waipoua under control on Saturday and they spent yesterday trying to put it out and assess the damage.

"We've got four crews there dealing with hot spots," a DoC spokeswoman said. DoC had yet to get a good look at the full extent of the damage the fire caused but it was extensive.

The fire, near Waipoua Forest, home to some of the country's oldest kauri trees, has destroyed 230ha and killed about 20 kiwi since it started on a beach northwest of Dargaville.