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

Pukaki Downs fire update #4

Pukaki Downs fire update #4

Seven helicopters with monsoon buckets are now in operation at the Pukaki Downs fire.

Fire and Emergency Assistant Commander Stephen Butler says the helicopters are working in two sectors.

"One sector is focused on protecting residential homes and they are working in conjunction with ground crews to strengthen the fire break in this area.

"The second sector is at the northern end of the fire and working to protect a plantation in the area."

Diggers are also operating alongside Fire and Emergency ground crews to establish or widen fire breaks.

The wind is currently pushing the fire back onto itself, but a wind shift in the middle of the day is expected to push it back in the direction it was moving last night, Butler says. 

A second wind shift is also expected later in the day and crews will be mindful of staying safe throughout the day.

No damage has been seen to any homes as yet, which Butler credited to the lessons learned from the previous large fire at Pukaki Downs.

"The defensible spaces around the homes have been improved since then and this has prevented the fire spreading to homes."

State Highway 80 between the Lavender Farm and the intersection with State Highway 8 will remain closed today.