Helicopters and more firefighters will resume their fight against the massive fire on the Coromandel Peninsula at daybreak this morning.

More residents in Kaimarama were evacuated last night as firefighters prepared for the wind to change direction early this morning that could threaten more houses.

The blaze broke out in a rural area south of the Coromandel township early Tuesday evening, and soon engulfed whole hillsides, tearing through four homes, sustainable farming community, seventy hectares of scrub, pine, and gum trees at deadly speed.

Ash the size of cherry tomatoes began raining down on residents as far away as Cooks Beach.

Across the harbour, Whitianga residents were left awestruck at the spectacle: one side of the peninsula lit up in flame, and a massive plume of smoke billowed across the twilight sky.