Our 3-Step Escape Plan

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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.

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Fire & Emergency New Zealand

Strong winds fan vegetation fires from Southland to Canterbury

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Strong winds fan vegetation fires from Southland to Canterbury

9 Hakihea 2023

Fire and Emergency crews are tackling several vegetation fires around the South Island, fanned by strong winds.

Several helicopters with monsoon buckets and crews from five brigades around Central Otago are working on a fire on Fruitgrowers Road near Alexandra. Police have evacuated people from a nearby freedom camping area.

The fire is understood to have reignited from an earlier fire started by fireworks last night. It is moving uphill and not easy for crews to reach on the ground.

People are being asked to stay away from the area.

At Templeton in the Selwyn District, a fire in a stand of trees about 100m long is now contained and the helicopters have been stood down. Ground crews are now mopping up to ensure the fire is fully extinguished.

And at Glenham in Southland crews from six brigades and a digger are working to contain a fire in a 3 hectare forestry block. Early indications are that that fire may also have reignited from an earlier fire in the area.

People who have lit outdoor fires in the past few days are urged to check that they are fully extinguished, as the strong winds can fan old fires back into life. And anyone considering lighting a fire outdoors needs to go to www.checkitsalright.nz to see whether there are any restrictions in place, as well as to check fire safety advice.

ENDS

For more information, please contact the Fire and Emergency New Zealand media team.

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