Fire crews will continue to battle a fire in the Far North today

The two and a half thousand hectare fire at Kaimaumau, north of Kaitaia, has been burning for two weeks.

Residents were evacuated yesterday as unexpected northerly winds fanned the fire -- but they were able to return last night.

Four helicopters and six bulldozers and excavators will support fire crews today and iwi will be patrolling Kaimaumau.

Incident controller John Sutton says today ground crews will widen the firebreaks in the area.

He says Easterly winds are predicted today, and they'll have to be agile and get to where there will be pressure on the lines.