Firefighters work to dampen down remaining hot spots. Photo: CHRIS SKELTON
Fire and Emergency says crews have made "good progress" today and a southerly wind change this evening would also help cool the land.
A hundred firefighters, 20 support personnel and five helicopters with heavy machinery tackled 40 remaining hotspots.
The 650-hectare blaze broke out on the hills last week and crews have been working to get it under control ever since, although resources would be scaled back in the coming days.
Incident commander Steve Kennedy said crews, including a drone crew, would be on the ground overnight and operations would continue tomorrow, he said.
"We expect a southerly wind change this evening which will assist crews with cooling the land and this will also help the infrared cameras to identify hot spots."
However Kennedy said the fire risk remained extremely high and reminded people to stay very aware about the work they do during the day.
Hot-work or spark-generating work, which included mowing lawns, should be done earlier in the day when it was cooler, he said.
"Our firefighters have put in a huge effort today. It has been hard work for them in hot, dry, windy and dusty conditions, and they've done a terrific job," he said.
"Many of the crews are volunteers and I want to thank their employers and families and whānau for enabling them to come out and do the great work they're doing."
