Firefighters are dampening down hotspots after a major scrub fire on State Highway 2, between Omokoroa and Katikati.

Fire and Emergency received multiple calls to a large vegetation fire burning along the railway line in Wainui South Road, said a Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesperson in a statement to SunLive.

"The fire is in bush and scrub and is approximately 1.5 km along the train track. It is not spreading," said a spokesperson. 

"Six fire trucks from Greerton, Omokoroa, Katikati and Tauranga are in attendance.  

"Wainui South Road, near the intersection with State Highway 2, is closed because hoses are across the road.

"We ask people to stay away from the area so emergency services can carry out their job safely."

Supplied photo

KiwiRail has temporarily closed the East Coast Main Trunk line between Apata and Whatakao due to a trackside vegetation fire, said upper North Island regional infrastructure manager Jake Barbarich. 

"As a precaution, two freight trains have been halted and will remain stationary until further notice.

"With safety as our top priority, we are working closely with Fire and Emergency New Zealand, and once they confirm the area is safe, our teams will conduct a thorough track inspection before reopening the line.

"We appreciate everyone’s patience as we ensure the safety of the public, our people, customers and operations"

A witness SunLive spoke to said the fire was "growing quickly off State Highway 2".

The caller who sent in the video of the fire said they had driven in the opposite direction 10 minutes prior and the fire had grown a lot since then. 

They said the fire was close to the road and they could feel the heat of the fire from the car. "It was close enough to keep your heart rate up," they said.

They also mentioned traffic is backed up which is making the situation more uncomfortable. 

Initially, a large cloud of smoke was reported near SH2, and SunLive received calls reporting the smoke was near Wainui South Road, just past Apata.

A Bay of Plenty local Hayden Bowles said he was visiting a friend and as he was heading down Wainui South Road he saw smoke and was eventually told the road was closed.

He turned around and used Esdaile Road to get out, which goes back towards Whakamārama.

He said he had seen many fire engines, police and ambulances at the scene and heading to the scene.

Another witness in the area SunLive spoke to said she could see smoke coming from the area.

A caller to the 0800SUNLIVE number at 1.25 pm said, "There's a fire just north of Apata on State Highway 2 near Wainui South Road."

"We saw four to five fires amongst the scrub and bush land. It's a nice fine day," they said. 

"There are plenty of appliances on the way which passed us as we headed towards Tauranga.

"The fire hasn't affected State Highway 2 traffic just yet."

This photo is angling down from Wainui South Road. Photo / Hayden Bowles

A police spokesperson said they have been made aware of the fire and that Fire and Emergency New Zealand is the lead agency at this time.

People are advised to avoid the area if possible.

At the scene?

Call 0800 SUNLIVE or email photos to newsroom@thesun.co.nz