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

Waikato wetland fire update #4

Waikato wetland fire update #4

22 October 2024

Fire and Emergency New Zealand crews are continuing to battle a large vegetation fire in scrub and wetlands near Meremere in North Waikato.

Incident Commander Mark Tinworth says the fire has a perimeter of 10 kilometres, and has burned through around 477 hectares in the Island Block area, including the Whangamarino wetlands.

“It’s continuing to spread through the wetlands, but it’s not threatening any residential or commercial properties at present,” he said.

“Island Block Road is now closed to all except for emergency vehicles and residents, so we urge people to avoid the area if they can.

“There’s a lot of smoke coming off the burning areas, and we advise people to keep car doors and windows shut if they have to drive near the area.”

The Whangamarino wetland is a Department of Conservation area of environmental significance. Fire and Emergency is working collaboratively with the Department of Conservation and mana whenua to ensure cultural and environmental values are considered in firefighter tactics.

“We’re working really hard to contain it as quickly as possible, but we are expecting it to take another day or so to bring it under control," Mark Tinworth said. "This is a really beautiful part of the country with considerable environmental value, and we’re doing our best to prevent it from being destroyed."

Fire and Emergency is also working alongside local businesses to make sure they have plans in place for removing any dangerous material if the fire gets too close to those locations.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand was alerted to the fire off Island Block Road around 1.15pm on Monday, and fire crews are being supported by eight helicopters, two fixed-wing aircraft, and around 40 personnel.

Water for the fire trucks and helicopter buckets was temporarily sourced from the local reticulated supply, but is now being sourced from a pond on a local farm.

Fire investigators are at the site today and the origin and cause of the fire are yet to be confirmed.

Back to news hub