Updated 6:57pm — A scrub fire in Upper Hutt  forced homes to be evacuated, a firefighter to be hospitalised and State Highway 2 to be closed for a time.

NZTA Wellington has announced SH2 at Te Marua is NOW OPEN.

The fire broke out on Mount Marua around 2pm, and there were 15 fire engines plus a helicopter battling to put it out.

The condition of the injured firefighter is unknown.

Fire communications shift commander Jan Wills says a number of homes are threatened.

She says there was also traffic congestion on State Highway 2, where trucks were on the side of the road.

One Local resident told WeatherWatch.co.nz there was “ash falling, smoke everywhere”.

– NewstalkZB additional by WeatherWatch.co.nz