The Professional Firefighters Union is angry about a reduction to resources for scrub fires.

Firefighters say there is an unwritten rule that two appliances must attend scrub fires during the summer fire season. However, regional management have decreed that only one fire engine attend each fire, but more will be available if needed.

Wellington union branch secretary Ian Wright says the issue appears to be two-fold, to save on fuel and because volunteer firefighters are pushed for time.

Mr Wright says he can appreciate the volunteers not wanting to be taken out of work every day, but there are plenty of paid firefighters capable of handling the blazes.