Know your neighbours

Get involved in your community and get to know your neighbours so you can contact each other in an emergency, and so everyone understands the risks of wildfire in your area. 

Plan your escape route

Identify a safe zone that is clear of vegetation in case you can’t evacuate and have to shelter in place.

Talk about the impacts

Understanding the impacts of a wildfire can help keep you and your whānau safe. Have a chat with the people in your household and work out what you’ll do in this situation. We also encourage everyone to think about getting their workplace ready for a wildfire emergency.

Talk about the impacts — Getready.govt (external link)

Work out what you need

You may have to evacuate your home or workplace because of a wildfire. Figure out what you and your family need if you have to stay away from home, and plan for what you require to get you through during this time. Consider things you need every day and what you would do if you didn’t have them?

• Grab bag
  Have a grab bag for everyone in your family. A grab bag is a small bag with essential supplies. See link below for suggestions on what to take, that you can tailor to your own circumstances.

• In your car
  Plan ahead for what you will do if you can’t get home because of a wildfire. Roads could be closed, or traffic could build up; you may be stranded in your car for some time. Also consider how much fuel is in your car during the summer or periods of increased wildfire risk. You may have to leave in a hurry and may not be able to fill up as conveniently as usual.

Work out what supplies you need — Getready.govt (external link)

Make a household emergency plan

A household emergency plan lets everyone in your household know what to do in a wildfire and how to get ready.

Having a plan helps make actual emergency situations less stressful. Knowing your escape routes and a safe zone where you’ll meet up with your household is important. Ensure you also consider pets and livestock, including what would happen in the event that you are not at home.

Keep a map of your evacuation routes with your plan.

In a wildfire, a safe zone refers to places that are clear of vegetation and can provide adequate refuge from an approaching fire. They may have large areas of concrete or well-maintained short grass like on school grounds and sports fields, or large volumes of water, like a lake.

When planning your escape route, you won’t always know what direction the fire is coming from so it’s important to have more than one way out. Identify a safe zone that is clear of vegetation in case you can’t evacuate and you have to shelter in place (either on your property or within your community).

Make a plan — Getready.govt (external link)

Tailor your plan

Every household’s plan will be different because of where we live, who lives with us and who might need our help.

When making your household plan, remember to include everyone.

Think about the requirements of disabled people, older people, babies, young children, pets, and other animals.

Develop your plan including your livestock and pets so it’s matches your situation.

Tailor your plan — Getready.govt(external link) 
Animals affected by fire - advice for livestock, lifestyle block, horse and pet owners - Mpi.govt.nz (external link)