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Firefighters are continuing to battle a blaze at a Northland beachside settlement. 

Incident controller Denis Cooper said the fire measured about 2ha with a 670m perimeter. 

Crews worked overnight to strengthen containment lines, he said. 

“We will have forestry contractors on-site today mopping up with the aim of declaring the fire out by the end of the day.” 

Cooper said no structures were lost and no damage to any sites of significance occurred. 

“I’d like to thank all the crews and the helicopter operators who worked so well yesterday to get this fire contained. 

“I’d also like to thank the Te Waiariki, Ngāti Korora, Ngāti Takapari Hapū Iwi Trust for their support and site-specific knowledge, as well as the public for their patience and support staying away from the area while our crews worked." 

Cooper said the cause of the fire was still under investigation. 

The blaze proved a timely reminder that permits were required during restricted fire season, he said. 

“This fire is an example of how things can turn really quickly if a fire does get out of control.” 

Witnesses on Monday afternoon said they believed the fire had started at Kakariki Rd. 

Resident Jennifer Butler said a helicopter arrived about 4.30pm and she had seen about five fire trucks heading out. 

“I rang my husband because the siren went off and all I could hear was sirens after sirens.” 

Her son spotted the fire after getting off the school bus, she said. 

Another resident said the fire appeared to have started behind a Kakariki Rd house. 

It was near a residential area but Butler wasn’t sure whether any structures had been affected. 

The Advocate understands a daycare had to bring children inside due to the level of smoke. 

It was nearing the end of the day so they didn’t need to send children home, a teacher said. 

However, another teacher who lives near the fire said the level of smoke they could see was “horrendous”. 

They weren’t aware of any structures on fire but said it would be concerning if the blaze made its way over the hill and closer to residential areas. 

Brodie Stone covers crime and emergency for the Northern Advocate. She has spent most of her life in Whangārei and is passionate about delving into issues that matter to Northlanders and beyond.