Karāpiro fire: Large vegetation blaze burning beside SH1 southbound

Fire and Emergency New Zealand is responding to a large vegetation fire near SH1. Photo / NZ Herald

Fire and Emergency New Zealand is responding to a large vegetation fire near Karāpiro.

The fire appears to be on a property close to the southbound lane of State Highway 1, between the Karāpiro Mobil gas station and Fergusson Gully Rd.

Fire and Emergency said it received the call at 4.09pm.

“A shelterbelt is on fire and we are currently working to extinguish the fire.”

Three firetrucks and one water tanker are in attendance, with brigades from Cambridge, Tīrau and Matamata responding to the incident.

“We are working close to the highway, so motorists are asked to take extra care.”

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi has been notified but said it didn’t plan to close the state highway “at this stage”.