Bushfire on Pumpkin Hill, Coromandel Peninsula, evacuations in progress

Residents of 16 properties have been evacuated as a bush fire continues to burn in the eastern Coromandel Peninsula.

But State Highway 25, which was scheduled to close in the Pumpkin Hill area about 23 miles southeast of Whitianga, did not have to close as planned thanks to a last-minute wind change, a police spokeswoman said.

Evacuated residents, from properties on Pumpkin Hill Rd and in the Sailors Grave area, remained away from their homes, but police have been removed for now, he said.

About 40 firefighters were still fighting the blaze at 7.15pm, supported by two helicopters, Fire & Emergency Shift Manager Colin Underdown said.

“The helicopters are working on the perimeter, preparing for the night.”

Helicopters will not fly after dark.

He wasn’t sure how big the fire was or if it was still under control. A Hamilton Fire Command Unit was also on the scene.

When firefighters arrived at the scene around 2:30 p.m., the fire was 100 by 50 meters.