A drone sighting has hindered the fire service's efforts to tackle a blaze on a Coromandel beach.
It was spotted near the 500sqm scrub fire on a reserve at Hahei Beach, which started shortly before midday on Sunday.
Four crews are currently tackling the blaze but no helicopter could be sent to help because of the drone.
However the drone has not been seen in a while and a chopper is now on the way to the fire.
The blaze is awkwardly located on the headlands near Hahei, making it difficult for fire crews to access it.
Newshub.
