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

Extreme fire danger in Otago over Easter

Extreme fire danger in Otago over Easter

1 April 2021

Fire and Emergency New Zealand is suspending all fire permits across the Otago Region, which includes Coastal Zone Dunedin, Clutha including Catlins, Waitaki, Central Zone and Lakes from 12pm on Thursday 1 April until 12pm Tuesday 6 April.

Central Otago Deputy Principal Rural Fire Officer Bobby Lamont says the fire danger is extreme or very high in large parts of the region over Easter.

“Severe winds are forecast for Easter Sunday and Easter Monday which will increase the fire danger further and the dry fuels and soil in the region would make containing a fire extremely difficult if one were to occur,” Bobby Lamont says.

“We are therefore also temporarily prohibiting open air fires and certain activities under Section 52 of the Fire and Emergency New Zealand Act in the Otago Central Zone where the fire danger is worst from 6am Sunday 4 April until 6am on Tuesday 6 April.”

“Otago remains in a restricted fire season but while these constraints are in place for the Otago Central Zone this means no lighting any outdoor fires, no roadside mowing, no cultivation, no fireworks or pyrotechnic displays and no explosives to be set off in the Otago Central Zone.”

The central zone includes Alexandra, Clyde, Cromwell, Wanaka, Lake Hawea, Naseby, Ranfurly, Kurow, Otematata, Omarama and Middlemarch.

Bobby also asks anyone who has had a burn in the last seven days to check they are completely out.

“The strong winds have the potential to reignite any old burn sites so people should check they are fully extinguished. Dig right down into the site, pour water over it and check with the back of your hand there is no heat.”

“We ask people to take the high fire danger in Otago seriously over the holiday weekend and to please obey the restrictions while they are in place.”

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