Conditions are set to worsen for fire crews battling a major blaze near Masterton in the Wairarapa.
It's burned through nearly 200 hectares of land in Whareama, including a pine forest, and 120 people are trying to put it out.
Incident Controller Dave Hilliard says the weather is proving challenging.
"This afternoon is supposed to change again to stronger winds and lower humidity, so we'll just have to wait and see how that change pans out to know how well our protections will hold," he says.
He says there are eight helicopters and a number of excavators and bulldozers.
Dave Hilliard says it could be weeks before the fire is completely under control.
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