UPDATED 5.07PM : The fire north of Kaingaroa Village, in the Eastern Bay, is now out.

Three fire trucks are still at the scene there dampening hot spots.

At the height of the shelter belt blaze, there were two helicopters and seven fire trucks trying to bring it under control.

The fire is being treated as suspicious and police have been called to the scene, says Fire and Emergency New Zealand northern communications shift manager Daniel Nicholson.

'One house that was near the blaze was evacuate, but the house hasn't been affected by the fire.”

EARLIER:

UPDATED 3.01PM: Two helicopters are helping firefighters battle a large fire in the Bay of Plenty this afternoon.

Firefighters were called to the shelter belt blaze just after 2pm.

The fire is being treated as suspicious and police have been called to the scene says Fire and Emergency New Zealand northern communications shift manager Daniel Nicholson.

"We have a lot of trucks in attendance.

"The only thing I'm not sure about is the actual size of the fire.

"I believe one home has been evacuated."

EARLIER:

A helicopter is being called in to help battle a fire in the Bay of Plenty this afternoon.

Several fire appliances have been called to the shelter belt blaze north of Kaingaroa Village, in the Eastern Bay.

There have been reports of people being evacuated from their homes as the fire is dangerously close to buildings in the area.

A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesperson says the fire is on the corner of Kennedy Road and Middle Road, north of the village.

The area is currently in a prohibited fire season, meaning hot and dry, fires are more likely to burn out of control and result in damage to vegetation or property, or loss of life.

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