Three helicopters were used to fight a fire in East Takaka yesterday which burnt about two hectares of forestry and scrubland.

The fire which started about 2.30pm was contained by 7pm.

The fire was not considered suspicious.

Waimea Rural Fire Authority principal fire officer Ian Reade said investigators were at the site today trying to find the origin and cause of the blaze.

A fire crew was at the site dampening down and pulling out gear.

The authority's operations manager Doug Ashford said six water tankers and two fire appliances were at the blaze.

Mr Ashford said the wind conditions were a ''great concern''.

 

Access to the fire was very difficult and fire fighters had to walk to the fire or be flown there.

''The conditions throughout Nelson and Golden Bay are really dry for this time of year and with the wind it's pushing fire danger to very high and extreme.''

He said the authority was worried people were taking the conditions lightly.

The Takaka Volunteer Fire Brigade and Volunteer Rural Fire Forces from Upper Takaka, Wainui and Motueka fought the fire.

The Nelson Marlborough Rescue Helicopter was one of the three helicopters used.