Fire and Emergency warns against complacency this long weekend
24 October 2025
Fire and Emergency New Zealand is warning against complacency this long weekend.
While Friday was an opportunity for everyone to take a deep breath after the weather events of this week, Fire and Emergency Assistant National Commander Ken Cooper says people must remain vigilant across the long weekend.
"While we had a lot of wind across the country, not a lot of rain fell in many places, particularly on the east coast of both islands, where we needed it most.
"The wind has continued to dry out those areas and the forecast for the long weekend is for warm weather, low humidity and moderate to strong winds.
"All that adds up to continued high fire danger, so I reiterate my request for vigilance from the public."
A ban on all open-air fires and fireworks remains in place until 9am on Monday for Hawke’s Bay, Wellington, Wairarapa, Marlborough, Canterbury and Mid-South Canterbury.
"That means no fires at all," Ken Cooper says.
"The slightest spark in windy weather can cause a fire that will spread very quickly and be very difficult and dangerous for our crews to put out.
"We are asking every landowner, agricultural contractor, forestry manager and lifestyle block owner to please check any old burn piles to ensure they are fully extinguished - even if they are weeks old."
The prohibition extends to the use of BBQs, being a fire in the open air, although for those without power in residential areas it is permitted as a means of cooking. They must be used away from vegetation on a flat, solid surface.
Anyone looking for advice on restrictions in their area should head to www.checkitsalright.nz
Fire updates
Canterbury
Fire and Emergency expects to have finished operations on three of the four remaining fires in Canterbury today.
Commander Dave Stackhouse says that the firegrounds at Kaikoura and Leader Road at Waiau will probably be handed back to landowners later today.
Crews are continuing to work on hotspots at the fire near Hanmer Springs, and this may continue into tomorrow.
"I would like to thank the community for the support they have shown over the past few days, especially in Kaikoura and Hurunui. I also acknowledge the amount of hard work from all of our career and volunteer firefighters to bring these fires under control and thank the employers of our volunteers for releasing them for an extended period."
"I encourage everyone to remain vigilant and to call 111 if you see a smoke plume anywhere in our district," Dave Stackhouse says.
Conditions are forecast to continue to be warm and windy in most areas over the long weekend, and the total prohibition on outdoor fires and fireworks remains in place until 8am Monday.
The fire near Clarence, which sits in Fire and Emergency’s Marlborough District, has been handed back to the landowner.
Hawke’s Bay
While it was quite windy overnight, there was not any spread or change in size in any of the three fires at Porangahau. There are approximately 43 staff on the ground for firefighting operations, supported by an incident management team of seven.
Bush Road remains 100 percent contained. It is being monitored for hotspots periodically, but there is not active fire at this time.
Schaeffer Road is 100 percent contained and will have eight firefighters working to extinguish hotspots around the fire, with the aim of having these out by late today, depending on weather conditions.
The Saleyard Bridge fire is now 50 percent contained and there are 33 firefighters working today to extend this containment line, and also put in further containment lines in anticipation of a wind change this afternoon. Our heavy machinery and helicopter operations have ceased for the time being, but may resume if we have a flare up in fire activity.
The cause of the fires is under investigation.
Fire and Emergency thanks the community of Porangahau for their amazing support of our teams on the ground, the streams of food, drink and other items that have been arriving have been greatly appreciated by the crews.