Fire crews battling a large fire in the Far North say they are now concentrating on an area north of Kaimaumau village.
Residents of the village were evacuated on Saturday but were allowed to return to their homes that night.
Fire crews are also concentrating their efforts on the western part of the fire ground in anticipation of a change in the wind direction that will push the fire northwest.
If the wind does push the fire northwest, residents and holidaymakers in Houhora and Pukenui areas will be more affected by smoke and are advised to shut their windows and doors.
The large fire has been burning peat and vegetation for more than two weeks and currently covers an area of around 2400 hectares.
Tony Johnson, who lives about 30km away, told RNZ he could see the fire and is concerned it could burn for months.
Fire and Emergency incident controller John Sutton said in a statement five helicopters and four dozers and diggers are supporting the 25 firefighters battling the blaze on Sunday.
It’s expected that 40 firefighters will be on the fireground on Monday.
"This morning we are focusing our resources on the area of active burning just north of Kaimaumau," Sutton said. The beach road north of the town has been closed because of the fire danger and people are reminded to stay off the beach between Kaimaumau and Houhora.
"The fire is still active in this area and we need people to stay well away for their own safety and to allow our crews to concentrate on the task."
Fire personnel have visited a small number of neighbours on the northwest flank of the fireground to ensure they are prepared in case the fire becomes active near their property as a result of the easterly wind change that is forecast on Sunday.
