Firefighters in the Far North are battling scrub fires.
Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller

Firefighters are battling a number of scrub fires being fanned by high winds around the Far North.

At Motatau, south of Kawakawa, ground crews and a helicopter are working to extinguish two blazes of about 200 square metres each.

A ute has been destroyed by the flames.

Further north, firefighters are tackling a large vegetation fire near State Highway 12 in South Hokianga.

The cause of the fires is not yet known.

On Thursday morning, Northland firefighter Wipari Henwood warned of an extreme fire risk this Easter.

A restricted fire season is in force across much of Northland, which means a permit is needed for any open-air fires.

Firefighters tackled a large bush fire which started last Friday night and continued on Saturday near Whangapē Harbour.

It was in a remote area near the Golden Stairs Walkway area and there was no road access for fire trucks.