Scrub fire in forest

A scrub fire that was "definitely suspicious" burnt about 50 square metres of forest in Mahana yesterday evening.

Robin Thompson, an investigator for the Waimea Rural Fire Network, said the fire appeared to start near or on a pile of tyres that had been dumped in the forest near the intersection of Old Coach and Gardner Valley roads.

Flames were licking up a few pine trees, but did not threaten any structures.

The forest is owned by Hancock Forest Management and Mr Thompson said patrols were about to begin in that area.

There was a good turnout from both Mapua and Upper Moutere volunteer fire brigades and Appleby and Tasman rural fire forces, he said.

The four teams worked for about an hour.

- © Fairfax NZ News