Firefighters have been monitoring a large fire on Matakana Island overnight, which has now largely been contained.

Fire and Emergency's District Commander Jeff Maunder said the fire burnt through about 37 hectares of scrub and pine slash.

The fire, which broke out on Saturday night, sent plumes of black smoke over the skyline in western Bay of Plenty.

Aerial crews with moonsoon buckets were stood down on Sunday night, but were expected back on the scene shortly.

Maunder said most of the flammable slash was now burnt and, with wind continuing to ease, crews are confident about containing the fire within its current boundaries.

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FENZ was alerted to the blaze about 7.30pm on Saturday and sent several crews to the island.

Fire and Emergency said no houses were at risk.

Civil Defence said there have been no evacuations so far.

The district's mayor, James Denyer, said the fire was very worrying, however, he was confident fire crews would be able to get the blaze under control.

"I was just devastated that such a thing could happen. Any fire on Matakana is serious and has the potential to have far-reaching consequences.

"It's obviously quite a big fire and I'm hoping that it can be put out relatively soon."

Denyer said he was concerned about further bushfires as the region got drier over summer.

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Tauranga Commissioner Shadrach Rolleston said he could see the glow of the fire from his house.

He said a family member told him the community had offered food and support to fire crews staying overnight on the island.

Matakana Island was prone to bushfires in summer because it was so dry, Rolleston told RNZ.

Late Saturday night, shift manager Garreth Lewis described the fire as about 300 metres by 300 metres, and "very visible from the mainland".

The island has a small resident population and people are being asked to stay away from the fire.

rnz.co.nz