Fire crews stamp out blaze flare-ups | Northland News | Local News in Northland

Firefighters battling Northland's biggest blaze in many years hope to start scaling down their operation today.

For the first time since the fire started on Monday and spread into White Cliffs forest, near Horeke in South Hokianga, its area did not increase yesterday, remaining at 345ha.

The two helicopters still on site were not required and principal rural fire officer Myles Taylor hoped to start scaling back the 60 remaining ground crew this afternoon.

A wind shift from northwest to southwest caused a few flare-ups in areas previously unexposed to wind, but no major problems. Yesterday's focus was on wetting down and extending fire breaks.

"We've made significant progress. Weather permitting, we may now be able to start scaling down," Mr Taylor said.

At the peak of the fire, four helicopters with monsoon buckets tackled the blaze along with 70 people on the ground.

The command centre was shifted yesterday from Horeke Hall, where radio and cellphone communications had proved problematic, to a paddock opposite Maitaitaua Marae.

Far North District Council spokesman Richard Edmondson said an inquiry into the origin and cause of the fire had been completed.

"We believe we now know where the fire started, how it started and who started it, but we can't make any further comment until we've completed all our inquiries."

The Advocate understands the fire was started inadvertently by workers of a trust partly funded by the Ministry of Social Development to clear vegetation along the district council's Twin Coast Cycle Trail.