Some success for firefighters in the Far North

Crews have now contained around 80 percent of the two thousand hectare fire, which is still burning near a small village in Kaimaumau, north of Kaitaia.

Locals who'd been evacuated from their homes for three nights, were allowed back in yesterday.

Watch Incident Controller Wipari Henwood says it's a complex fire with heavy vegetation.

The winds, heat and low humidity are contributing to challenging firefighting conditions.

Crews, heavy machinery and aircraft are expected to be on scene for some time, to ensure the fire is controlled and completely mopped up.