Waikato farmers are being asked to play their part in preventing fires

Fire and Emergency says people should check the sites of old fires and make sure they're fully extinguished.

It says it's also important for them to clear an entrance into their farms so fire trucks can safely enter.

District Manager Daryl Trim says attendance at wildfires is putting unneeded strain on firefighting resources.

A rubbish pit fire at Lake Karapiro yesterday required a helicopter and fire brigades from Cambridge, Te Awamutu, Pirongia and Hamilton.