Fire and Emergency NZ crews have requested a helicopter to help fight a fire that has broken out in Fernhill, near Hastings. The 300m by 100m fire, near State Highway 50, was reported to Fire and Emergency just before 1.30pm on Tuesday. The fire could be seen burning on a hill above the Farmhouse Lodge in Fernhill. A significant amount of smoke was drifting over the area and nearby Ōmahu. A reporter on the scene said lodge residents had been evacuated as emergency services fought the fire. Winds in the area are picking up, with a strong wind watch in place south of Hastings until 5pm on Tuesday. Crews from Napier, Hastings and Taradale were in attendance and one helicopter had been requested to help douse the area. Firefighters parked beside the Ngaruroro River bridge at Fernhill. Photo / Rafaella Melo