The Anawhata Beach fire Wednesday is being called suspicious. Photo: supplied
Recent fires that have sprung up around the country are being called suspicious, while a new one has broken out in Northland.
Two North Island fires are being treated as suspicious.
Fire and Emergency were notified of one approximately 40km west of Auckland, on Anawhata Beach last night where several people had to be rescued.
The fire is now extinguished, but FENZ said they are treating it as suspicious. The cause is not yet known.
Another blaze in the Rangitikei District has been contained but has burned through nearly a hectare of 10-year-old standing pine.
"It has been deemed suspicious and it's being investigated by a fire investigator," Shift manager Murray Dunbar said said.
He said multiple crews are working alongside excavators to strengthen containment trenches and extinguish hotspots.
Fire and Emergency are also responding to a vegetation fire in Northland this afternoon.
Six trucks, one tanker, and three helicopters are at the scene in Tāheke, with another helicopter on standby.
Northland District Commander Wipari Henwood is asking people to stay away from the Horeke Road area. Crews are protecting one structure which is threatened by the fire.
The fire is currently 10ha in size.
It is one of several fires in recent days.
Meanwhile, another helicopter has been called to the scene of a fire 20km north of Taupō.
Emergency services were called to the fire on Te Toke Road in the Tahorakuri Forest area around 12.30pm Wednesday.
Fire and Emergency said another helicopter has been called due to a change of fire conditions and wind strength.
That fire has burned through approximately 19ha of vegetation so far.
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