Three helicopters are heading to Northland to battle a quick-spreading scrub fire at Shipwreck Bay.
Eleven crews were stood down because conditions were too dangerous at the bay, which is 17 kilometres outside Kaitaia.
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Shift manager Daniel Nicholson says Foreshaw Rd residents had an early wake up to evacuate.
"Three houses have been evacuated, that were in immediate danger of the fire, at this point in time we don't anticipate any more evacuations to happen."
Maryann Adlam told Newshub that the fire is burning on Maunga Perehere Pa, an extremely important area for local Maori.
“Although the firefighters are doing a marvellous job, the pa site holds a very historical significance in Te Rarawa and Ngati Kuri.”
Ms Adlam’s house sits on the other side of the hill and she says even though she can’t see the extent of the damage, “it is still sad to see.”
The fire now covers five hectares.
It's the second largest bush fire in New Zealand on Friday, as around 1600 hectares of ground burns in Nelson.
Thousands of people are on standby to evacuate from the Wakefield area and at least one house is confirmed to be destroyed.
Newshub.
