Firefighters were this evening still at the scene of a major fire which broke out at Taheke, South Hokianga, about 12.30pm today.
The blaze swept through more than 30ha of scrub and native bush beside Taheke Rd, threatening homes and a pine plantation. By 4pm four helicopters were working to contain the fire using monsoon buckets.
Fire bosses hope heavy rain forecast this weekend will put it out.
The same area was razed by fire four years ago.
Also today Mahuri Marae, on Ramsey Rd, also in Taheke, was threatened by a scrub fire. Flames came within 5m but the building was not damaged.