A large scrub fire in Omanawa kept firefighters busy last night as they battled to get the 60m by 20m blaze under control.

What started out as a controlled burn ended up as an out-of-control fire on Tomsett Road at about 4pm.

Firefighters spent 2.5 hours dealing with a large scrub fire in Omanawa last night. Photos: Andrew Campbell.

Two trucks from Greerton Fire Brigade, along with a water tanker, spent two-and-a-half hours dealing with the blaze.

Greerton station officer Steve Wright says the fire was made worse by the high winds the region experienced yesterday.

'The fire jumped and it ended up being two to three fires which spanned about 60m by 20m,” says Steve.

'There is a bit of a message in this for people to pay attention to the condition when lighting a fire.

'Even if it is permitted, people should check the weather and always monitor their fires.”

High winds in recent weeks have caused several fires in the Western Bay to flare out of control, says Western Bay Moana Rural Fire Authority Principal Rural Fire Officer Alan Pearce.

He's warning people to think twice about lighting any fire outdoors until the late spring westerly winds abate.

Strong winds have arisen in the late mornings and through the afternoon, catching people unaware.

'Lighting open air fires is prohibited in wind conditions greater than 10 kilometres an hour and they must be attended to at all times by the person responsible for conducting the burn,” says Alan.

'If the fire gets out of control the fire service is to be contacted immediately via the 111 system.''

A fire permit is required for all open air fires during the restricted fire season, which runs from 1 October until 30 April - with the exception of gas-powered barbeques.

'It's important to understand the costs of fighting out-of-control fires can fall on the person responsible for lighting the fire,” adds Alan.

'If you light a fire, whether permitted or un-permitted, and it escapes, you can be held liable for the full costs of suppressing that fire.

'You can also be held liable for any damage caused to another person's property. Recent fires within the Western Bay of Plenty have cost up to $30,000 to suppress.”

Permits are free and can be obtained in two working days by contacting the Western Bay of Plenty District Council on: 571 8008 or by applying online at: www.westernbay.govt.nz/Services/Rural-Fire/