Update, 4.46 pm: Evacuations are underway in Te Puna, and a number of properties are under threat from fire.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand crews were called around 3.20pm to reports of multiple shelterbelts on fire on Snodgrass Road near Te Puna. Seven crews are currently in attendance.

"Evacuations are underway with a number of properties under threat from fire," said a FENZ spokesperson.

"If smoke affects your home, please keep your windows and doors closed and turn off any air conditioning units."

People are advised to avoid the area to allow Fire and Emergency crews to fight the fire.

Fire crews from Omokoroa, Greerton, Katikati, Tauranga, Mount Maunganui, Waihi, Te Puke, Mayor View, and Papamoa are attending.

Police are assisting FENZ with the fire and advise the community to avoid the immediate area as emergency services respond.

Snodgrass Rd is blocked, and further road closures are being considered.

A caller to SunLive said smoke can be seen across the Te Puna area.

“I was coming up the hill towards the Minden Lookout, and there is a massive lot of smoke right across the Minden,” said a Sunlive reader.

“It must be a massive fire.”

View of the fire from near the Minden lookout. Photo/ Renee Adkins.

Earlier, 4.30pm:  Police are assisting Fire and Emergency New Zealand at a fire off Snodgrass Rd, Te Puna, Western Bay of Plenty.

"Crews were called around 3.20pm to reports of multiple shelterbelts on fire," said a Fire and Emergency spokesperson. Seven crews are currently in attendance.

Evacuations are underway with a number of properties under threat from fire.

Police advise the community to avoid the immediate area as emergency services respond.

"If your home is impacted by smoke, please keep your windows and doors closed, and turn off any air conditioning units," said the Fire and Emergency spokesperson.

Snodgrass Rd is blocked, and further road closures are being considered.

View of the Te Puna fire from Bellevue looking west. Photo/ Daniel Hancock.

A caller to SunLive said smoke can be seen across the Te Puna area.

“I was coming up the hill towards the Minden Lookout, and there is a massive lot of smoke right across the Minden,” said a SunLive reader.

“It must be a massive fire.”

At the scene?

Phone 0800SUNLIVE or email newsroom@thesun.co.nz

Te Puna fire seen from Tauranga harbour. Photo/Claire Rogers.