Flames tore through dry grass, sticks and low scrub, sending plumes of white smoke drifting over the rural area, close to the site of Bromley Park Hatcheries.
Mikey Taylor, who lives in nearby Patumāhoe, said several crews were involved in fighting the blaze, with engines parked on and below the hillside site.
He said winds drove the smoke towards the nearby township of Pōkeno.
Fire and Emergency crews attended the blaze in Tuakau, north Waikato. Photo / Mikey Taylor
Police confirmed they attended the scene after they were alerted just before 5pm. Taylor said officers were seen redirecting traffic away from the area.
Fire and Emergency said it had not issued any smoke danger warnings, despite claims circulating on community Facebook groups.
Three major fires have also broken out across the Auckland region over the past 24 hours, including a fatal sleepout blaze in Ōtāhuhu, a fire at a central city block and a house fire in Panmure.