Helicopters and multiple fire crews are responding to three vegetation fires burning in the Waikato, Auckland and Manawatū-Whanganui regions this evening.
Crews were called to a vegetation fire in the Tahorakuri Forest area northeast of Taupō at around 12.40pm.
Thirty-two firefighters from Taupō, Tokoroa, Lake Taupō and Lake Okareka brigades were in attendance.
“Twelve trucks, tankers and support vehicles are on the ground, while two helicopters are working from the air. A third helicopter is about to take off to head to the fire,” a spokesperson said.
The fire was not “contained or controlled” and was around four hectares in size as of 3.15pm, they added.
“Please avoid the area while our crews work. Te Toke Rd is closed in the area near the fire.”
A second fire was reported to Fire and Emergency NZ at around 4.45pm in Parewanui near Bulls.
“Several rural brigades are in attendance working to contain a 150m x 60m fire,” a spokesperson said, adding that two helicopters were responding.
The spokesperson said the Royal NZ Air Force loaned crews a pump from their base in Ohakea.
Fire and Emergency NZ then said it received calls about a large vegetation fire north of Piha, on the west coast of Auckland, at 5.23pm.
“We have multiple crews in attendance and three helicopters on the way. The fire is approximately 200m x 200m,” a spokesperson told 1News.
The Waikato region moved into a restricted fire season last Friday, while Auckland would be moving into a restricted fire season from tomorrow morning.