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

Mt Creighton Fire - Update 5

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Mt Creighton Fire - Update 5

Firefighters have made significant progress today towards containing the vegetation fire on the slopes of Mt Creighton, above the Glenorchy Road near Queenstown.

Fire and Emergency Incident Controller Mark Mawhinney said the fire had burned about 230 hectares within a 13km perimeter. The terrain is very challenging for ground crews and waterbombing helicopter pilots alike, with steep faces and gullies. The highest point of the fireground is 1300 metres.

"Everyone has put in a huge effort today to knock down the fire. Tomorrow we will start mopping up the remaining hotspots."

Mr Mawhinney cautioned that it was too soon to define the fire as fully contained within a secure and blacked out perimeter. "We are optimistic, but tomorrow afternoon’s weather may cause us some difficulties, with very strong winds forecast before the arrival of another front."

If the winds are as strong as forecast, helicopters are unlikely to be able to operate in the afternoon and ground crews may have to be stood down until conditions ease. "We are planning for all eventualities," he said.

Ground crews finished at 5pm today and the helicopter operations will stand down at evening civil twilight, about 7.30pm. Firefighting will resume in the morning.