Residents of a Coromandel settlement are being evacuated as emergency services deal to a scrub fire.
At 2:10pm on Saturday, Fire and Emergency NZ (FENZ) were called to a vegetation fire in Pumpkin Hill, a settlement north of Tairua on the Coromandel Peninsula. When services arrived, the fire was burning strongly and had spread to around 100m by 50m.
Thirteen appliances from several brigades initially responded with one helicopter in the air. However, FENZ has since said another two helicopters have been brought in to assist.
Waikato police have evacuated nearby Sailors Grave and evacuations are underway on Pumpkin Hill Rd.
"Police advise anyone who is concerned or feels unsafe to self-evacuate," a spokesperson says.
"Road closures are in place along State Highway 25. We strongly advise anyone who doesn't need to be there to avoid the area so emergency service staff can come and go from the scene.
"Motorists are asked to avoid the area. Further information will be provided as it becomes available."
