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.