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.

Queenstown Lakes Restricted Fire Season revoked

Fire and Emergency New Zealand is revoking the restricted fire season in the Queenstown Lakes fire zone in Otago from 8am Sunday, 5 May, until further notice.

This means people in this zone no longer need to have a fire permit approved by Fire and Emergency to light a fire outdoors.

Declaring the fire season change, Otago District Manager Phil Marsh says recent rain and cooler autumn temperatures has seen the fire risk drop below thresholds that require ongoing fire permitting restrictions.

"While permits are no longer required to light an open-air fire, our local team remains on hand to provide advice to anyone looking to complete a burn," Phil Marsh says.

"Even with these cooler temperatures, vigilance around fire safety is important," he says.

"For Otago, any period of dry, settled weather at any time of year can increase the potential for unwanted fires. Escaped burns are a major contributor to this, so knowing how to burn safely is key."

For more information on completing burns safely, and to check it is safe to light on a given day, people can visit www.checkitsalright.nz.