Fire and Emergency is responding to a "significant vegetation fire" in the Lee Valley, Tasman.
A FENZ spokesperson says there are three separate areas of fire, spreading uphill into a pine plantation.
Five helicopters are supporting ground crews from Brightwater, Appleby, Richmond, Wakefield, Upper Moutere and Nelson.
People in the area are urgently asked to avoid non-essential travel, particularly on Paton Rd, as traffic congestion is delaying some fire trucks from reaching the fire.
FENZ were called shortly before 3.30pm on Wednesday. A Police spokesperson says they were alerted to the fire at 3:50pm.
"Police were involved to evacuate nearby properties and it appears there is a cordon at the intersection of Lee Valley Rd and Wairoa Valley Rd."
