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

Balmoral Fire Update # 2

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Balmoral Fire Update # 2

The large vegetation fire at Tokarahi in Waitaki is now contained.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand Incident Commander Bobby Lamont says the fire flared up earlier today with flames reaching six to eight metres.

“Then around 1pm, rain forced our three ground crews working with hand tools to stop work,” he says.  

Air operations were also sat down due to weather.

“Rain and cooler weather has helped to suppress the fire and a late afternoon flyover found no evidence of smoke or hotspots," he says.

"We have now stopped all firefighting operations for the day. The landowner will monitor the fire ground over night and crews will be back at 6.30am tomorrow morning to continue operations."

The vegetation fire started yesterday around midday and has burnt through 806 hectares of farmland, tussock and scrub.

The next update will be around 9am tomorrow.