Firefighters controlled a large scrub fire in the hills above
Lower Hutt after about 5-1/2 hours battling the blaze today.
Some nearby roads were closed during the fire on the Eastern
Hills, which started about 2.30pm, but no houses were
threatened.
It was controlled about 8pm but fire fighters would monitor
any hotspots overnight, said Paul Nickalls, principal rural
fire officer for Hutt City Council.
"It was a big, awkward fire because of the terrain and the
swirling winds," he said.
A helicopter, about 20 members of the Wainuiomata Bush Fire
Force and rural fire fighters, plus four pumping units from
the Fire Service fought the blaze, he said.
During the fire several nearby roads and one bridge were
closed.
It was too early to say what miggt have caused the fire.
