Twizel neighbourhoods helped to plan for wildfires

16 January 2024

Twizel’s Fire Chief is inviting householders in Manuka Terrace to get together and make a plan for reducing the risk of wildfire in their neighbourhood.

Chief Fire Officer Simon Fox has set up a community meeting at the Twizel fire station from 6-8pm on Thursday 25 January. People who can’t be there in person can follow it live on the Mid-South Canterbury Fire and Emergency Facebook page, or watch the recording later.

A grass fire that started in Manuka Terrace on 7 January spread quickly and covered over 1km, threatening houses and alarming residents.

Simon Fox said there were several things that people should be doing to reduce the risk on their own property and make it easier for firefighters to defend homes when another fire breaks out. Every household should also have an evacuation plan so all family members know what to do and where to go. This will be discussed in more detail at the meeting.

Last week Fire and Emergency set up an Incident Management Team in Twizel to support all the volunteer fire brigades in the Mackenzie Basin because of the elevated fire risk. Two helicopters with monsoon buckets were on standby for the three days when fire conditions were extreme.

Over 75 Twizel locals came to a community meeting about the fire risk last week (10 January) looking for information and advice about the wildfire risk.

Future meetings will be held for other neighbourhoods and subdivisions on the outskirts of Twizel.