Homes are under threat in southern Manawatū as a fire spreads across more than 40 hectares.
About 20 fire engines and two helicopters are fighting the grass fire at the settlement of Bainesse, about 20 kilometres east of Palmerston North.
The fire started on farmland between Kellow and Bainesse roads about 1.15pm today.
Manawatū fire area commander Mitchell Brown said the fire had affected paddocks, farm structures and hay bales.
"At the moment we're just trying to stop the fire from spreading," he said.
Brown said there had been reports of fire encroaching on homes.
"Police have been assisting with cordoning the area and advising homeowners of any need for evacuation," he said.
"At this stage, specific homes on the fire front have been advised to keep clear of the area. We've made the caution for safety."
He said a shed had been lost to the fire.
"We are now quelling the fire and containing the spread of the fire to the hay bales and across paddocks," he said.
Brown said at least 32 fire engines were at the scene, including rural fire crews and two helicopters.
"This is a serious incident; that's why we've got some serious firepower."
He said there was still more work to do but they were happy they had stopped the spread.
"At the moment the helicopters are trying to stop the spread to the pine trees because that will change all of our tactics if we have a pine plantation fire," he said.
Landowner John McTavish said he had lost all of his winter feed.
Police have closed several roads in the area.
One witness to the fire, Kelly-Ann Pedersen, posted a photo on MORE FM Manawatū workday host Justin Evans' Facebook page showing hay sheds, silage stacks and paddocks being destroyed by the blaze.
Meanwhile, 3 News are reporting of another fire on State Highway 1 in Hunterville in Rangitīkei, which was also threatening a different plantation. Eight fire engines were at the scene.
The Manawatū District has a fire ban in place after several weeks of dry weather.
Source: Manawatū Standard
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