At least 14 fire crews and three helicopters with monsoon buckets were called in to battle a blaze which ripped through a Ngaruawahia bush.

Fire broke out at a scenic walking track yesterday evening.

Emergency services from Ngaruawahia and Pukete raced to the scene on Hakarimata Rd at 4.52pm.

The blaze, which initially started on a ridge, extending 20 by 30 metres, grew to 600 by 300m in size.

Firefighters got the fire under control around 10pm and the site was monitored overnight for any flare ups.

Northern Fire Communications shift manager Colin Underdown says the dry conditions, and hot wind did not help firefighters, along with the fact that the fire backed onto a quarry - making approaching it difficult.

The Department of Conservation were called as the fire is on DOC land.