7:47pm - The forest fire will be left to burn overnight due to dangerous winds, with firefighters returning at first light to continue battling the blaze.

Fire and Emergency's aforementioned review of its air operations means aircraft will also withdraw at darkness and return at daybreak.

The windy weather is expected to ease overnight after the severity of Monday's gusts forced ground crew to withdraw from the forest fire.

According to NZME, occupants of a nearby house have been evacuated as a precaution. Appliances had been protecting the home during the early evening and the property will be monitored overnight.

A second Hawke's Bay fire, which broke out near SH50 in Fernhill, is believed to be under control. It's believed a handful of other fires burned in the region on Monday.

5:20pm - A FENZ spokesperson told Newshub that as of 4:40pm, six helicopters and 65 crew were working on the blaze.

Structural protection work has been performed but the spokesperson couldn't confirm where.

Ground crew have since been removed due to strong winds hampering their firefighting efforts.

Air operations are also being reviewed, the spokesperson said.

A local cinematographer told Newshub that the fire has "gotten three-times the size in the last two hours".

5:09pm - A MetService spokesperson told Newshub that strong south-westerly winds are currently gusting up to 70 km/h at Hawke's Bay Airport, located roughly 18 kilometres south of the fire.



She said the strong winds are likely to be hampering firefighting efforts to control the blaze.

4:57pm - Local Michelle Taiki snapped pictures of the billowing smoke earlier on Monday.