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

Open fire season for Otago District

Open fire season for Otago District

16 May 2022

Otago moved to an open fire season at 8am today (Monday 16 May). This includes Dunedin, Clutha, Waitaki, Central and Lakes Districts.

An open fire season means permits will no longer be required when lighting open-air fires.

A restricted fire season will remain in place for all commercial forestry areas (1 km fire safety margins).

The fireworks ban that has been in place since December 2021, has now been lifted. Private use of fireworks is now allowed in the Otago District.

District Manager, Phil Marsh says the current weather conditions are the reason for this change.

"We are seeing signs of cooling temperatures - there is more dew in the morning and more moisture in the air," he says.

"This reduces the risk for wildfire, although, it does not eliminate it."

Phil Marsh would like to remind people wanting to light a fire to do so safely.

"Keep the fire small and manageable, make sure you have a way to extinguish the fire, and make sure you extinguish it before nightfall," he says.

"Check the weather forecast before lighting a fire to make sure there are no strong winds expected,

"If in doubt, please do not light a fire."

For more fire safety information, head to www.checkitsalright.nz.

 

Open-fires will not be permitted on the following locations which are in a year-round prohibited fire season.

  • Ruby Island (Lake Wanaka)
  • Stevensons Island (Lake Wanaka)
  • Mou Waho Island (Lake Wanaka)
  • Mou Tapu Island (Lake Wanaka)
  • Mount Iron (Wanaka)
  • Albert Town Recreational Reserve (Wanaka)
  • Pig and Pigeon Islands (Lake Wakatipu)
  • Queenstown Red Zone (Queenstown)
  • Coronet Forest (Queenstown)
  • Shag Point (Waitaki)
  • Bucklands Crossing (Dunedin)
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