A helicopter flight using a thermal imaging camera has identified 21 hot spots in the fire-ravaged area south of Whitianga.

A fire crew is on site working to extinguish the remaining hot spots of the fire which broke out between Coroglen and Kaimarama on Thursday last week, says Thames Valley principal rural fire officer Paul Shaw.

"Rural Fire will continue to monitor for at least the next two weeks to make sure there is no possibility of re-ignition.”

In the interests of public safety, and due to the extremely dry conditions currently, the Rural Fire Authorities have extended a total fire ban until further notice.

The fire ban covers all lands within the Thames-Coromandel and Hauraki district council areas including Department of Conservation lands, plus forest areas owned by Ernslaw One, Matariki Forests and CFG NZ Company Ltd.

The ban includes land clearing fires, rubbish fires, beach fires, domestic fireworks, sky lanterns, braziers, open top non-type approved incinerators, traditional cooking and hangi fires.

However, the ban does not include gas fuelled cookers or gas fuelled barbeques in a public place or on private land, providing weather conditions are favourable, they're are operated by an adult and also are used in a safe considerate manner.

The fire ban also does not include the following open air fires on private land providing weather conditions are favourable, they're operated by an adult in a safe considerate manner and are extinguished before being left unattended:

• Pre-approved solid fuelled BBQ constructed of non-combustible materials, with a chimney and spark arrestor.
• Pre-approved outside fire place constructed of non-combustible materials with chimney and spark arrestor.
• Pre-approved pizza oven constructed of non-combustible materials with chimney and spark arrestor.
• Within TCDC Urban areas compliant Open Fires and Pizza ovens that meet the requirements in schedule 1 of the TCDC Fires in the Open Bylaw.

Fire Authorities may consider fire permit applications for cooking and hangi fires for community and cultural events on private land, but each application will be considered on its merits.

'Pursuant to Section 43 of the Forest and Rural Fires Act 1977 any person lighting a fire in the ‘open air' is liable for all suppression costs should the fire escape,” says a Thames-Coromandel District Council spokesperson.

'A fire permit does not indemnify the permit holder from any liability for costs or damages caused by the fire.”