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

Rain and snow dampen down Pukaki Downs and Tekapo wildfires Update #8

Rain and snow dampen down Pukaki Downs and Tekapo wildfires Update #8

UPDATE: As of Friday afternoon, State Highway 80 from Pukaki to Aoraki/Mount Cook is now closed due to heavy snow.

Firefighters on the ground at the Pukaki Downs fire are making the most of favourable weather conditions to strengthen and extend fire breaks today.

Incident Controller Stephen Butler says cold, rainy and snowy weather has helped dampen down the flames.

"The rain and snow mean our crews can focus their efforts on the fire breaks, as well as opening up burnt slash piles to expose deep-seated fires to the rain,".

Stephen Butler says good progress has been made and heavy machinery is being used to increase the fire breaks, concentrating around the northern perimeter of the fire.

"We’ve had to stand down helicopters for the day due to the weather conditions but calmer and frosty conditions forecast for tomorrow mean we’ll be able resume the firefighting then," he says.

"Power is back on in the area and State Highway 80 is open, but please avoid any unnecessary travel.

"The rain and snow may also have affected road conditions, so please drive very carefully if you do need to carry out essential travel on the road."

Rain with the settling snow has also dampened down the second vegetation fire in the area at the top of Lake Tekapo today. Fire crews are mopping up hot spots and will be monitoring and assessing the fire for the next 48 hours.