Fire ban after blaze

SUPPLIED

SUSPECTED ARSON: Wind gusts fuel flames at Opua on Saturday.

A fire in Opua at the weekend is being treated as arson.

The blaze started in Franklin Rd at about 4.30pm on a bank below Opua School and then jumped across the road. It was fanned by gusts of strong winds and the dry scrub was well alight when firefighters arrived but they soon had it under control.

Police would like to speak to the occupants of an older model, red sedan seen in the area being driven by a man, wearing a light coloured shirt with short sleeves.

"We are asking that person to contact police to eliminate them from the investigation." sergeant Phil Le Comte says.

Dry weather and the increased risk have prompted the Northern Rural Fire Authority to declare a prohibited and restricted fire season in the Far North district.

The ban took effect from Tuesday.

Permit applications can be lodged with DOC's Kaitaia and Bay of Islands offices or Far North District Council Service Centres. Phone 0800-920-029 in office hours.

- © Fairfax NZ News