Part of State Highway 1 (SH1) has been closed as firefighters battle a massive Far North fire.
Waka Kotahi said the fire has closed SH1 in both directions between Te Paki Stream Rd and Cape Reinga.
Fire and Emergency NZ said the fire is now around 390 hectares in size, after it started as a scrub fire just after 3pm yesterday.
"Today we have 10 helicopters in the air in strong gusty southerly conditions," Fire and Emergency Incident Controller Rory Renwick said.
"At the moment they are preventing the fire from flaring and spreading further to the north and our expectation is that we will be able to continue to hold it; however if it does get away, it will be hard to stop.
"Meanwhile four ground crews are focused on the southern edge of the fire area - in the general location where it began yesterday - working to ensure the edges are out to prevent it spreading with the wind change that is forecast for Friday."
Local iwi Ngāti Kuri made a statement about the impacts of the fire.
"All walking Tracks from Kapowairua (Spirits Bay) to Taputaputa, Cape Reinga through to Kahokawa (Scott's Point) including the Te Werahi loop track are closed for the next 10 days minimum or until further notice.
"The closure also includes the Micro Camps and Taputaputa Campsite."
Fire and Emergency also gave a statement outlining that both the area around the iconic Cape Reinga lighthouse, and the Ngāti Kuri-operated campground at Tapotupotu Bay, were evacuated yesterday afternoon and State Highway 1 is closed from Te Paki Stream Road north.
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