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.

Fire & Emergency New Zealand

Waitaki Fires Update #4

Waitaki Fires Update #4

Today 10 fire crews (35 firefighters), supported by one digger, continue to work on extinguishing a vegetation fire at Nenthorne, near Middlemarch in Waitaki, Otago which started in the early hours of Monday 11 March.

Two crews monitored the fireground overnight and put out hot spots.

No dwellings were lost in the fire, but a small number of farm buildings were destroyed or damaged and crews today are overhauling burnt buildings and felling dangerous trees nearby.

Incident Controller Bobby Lamont says there are deep underground fires yet to be extinguished underneath several large stands of trees.

"Most residents in the area who self-evacuated on the night of the fire (10 March) have been allowed home," he says.

"One resident is still unable to return home but we’re hoping they should be able to later today."

Bobby Lamont says Nenthorne, Ramrock and Butter and Egg Roads remain closed, although it is expected they will be able to open later today.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand has handed over the fireground at the second fire in Earthquakes near Duntroon, Waitaki to Department of Conservation fire crews to monitor and mop up.

Fire investigations are underway at both firegrounds.