Our 3-Step Escape Plan

  • First Escape Route
  • Second Escape Route
  • Meeting Place
Notes

Use this space to note any additional information about your escape plan, i.e. who will assist

Your checklist

  • Get low

    Smoke is poisonous and more deadly than flames.

    If you breathe smoke for more than a few breaths it can kill you.

  • Be fast

    A house fire can kill you in less than three minutes.

    Don't spend time trying to save possessions.

  • Close doors

    A closed door buys you time.

    It slows down the spread of fire, giving you more time to get to safety.

  • Get out - stay out!

    People have died by going back into a fire.

    Don't leave the meeting place to go back inside for any reason.

Call emergency services as soon as you are out and safe. Ask for FIRE.

Clearly state your address and let the operator know it anyone is still inside or has not made it to the safe meeting place.

Emergency call 111 Emergency text 111
Fire & Emergency New Zealand

Canterbury fires update

Canterbury fires update

9 December 2024

Firefighters will be working overnight on the vegetation fires at West Melton and Kirwee.

Fire and Emergency Incident Commander Dave Key says that both fires are contained. Work today has focused on blacking out the perimeter of the firegrounds. Crews will be patrolling overnight to deal quickly with any flare-ups.

"We know that people in the area will be anxious, so I want to reassure residents that we will be here tonight and back again tomorrow to continue extinguishing both these fires," Dave Key says.

Fire and Emergency has worked with local farmers affected by the West Melton fire to move stock to safety.

Conditions are forecast to continue to be windy and hot, and it's expected to take at least another two days to completely extinguish these fires.

A 30km/hr speed restriction remains in place for a stretch of Old West Coast Road in the vicinity of the West Melton fire, to enable fire crews to move around the area safely.

Fire crews have also been working on hotspots at the site of the Bridge Hill wildfire, which broke out overnight last Thursday.

Incident Commander Colin Russell says that Fire and Emergency's specialist drone crew will be carrying out thermal imaging tonight to identify any remaining fire activity. Firefighters will tackle these tomorrow.

"All going to plan, we will be able to cease operations at Bridge Hill by tomorrow evening," Colin Russell says.

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