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.

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.

Emergency call 111 Emergency text 111
Fire & Emergency New Zealand

Tongariro National Park Fire Update #6

Tongariro National Park Fire Update #6

9 November 2025

Precautionary evacuations of five facilities in the vicinity of the Tongariro fire are almost complete. They are the Hillary Outdoors Education Centre, the Maungatepopo School Camp, the Old Mill, the Taurewa Lodge and the Avondale College Lodge.

Fire and Emergency Assistant Commander Craig Gold says additional aircraft are being used to fight the fire, with five fixed wing and 12 helicopters being deployed. Most of these are already in action, with a small number still en route. One of the helicopters is being used to direct the air attack, while the others are waterbombing the fire.

Four fire crews are carrying out firefighting on the ground with additional crews supporting the aircraft operations.

“We are prioritising the air operations for safety reasons and because of their effectiveness in this terrain and over a large fire front,” Craig Gold says.

The fire is currently 1600 hectares and as yet not controlled.

Specialist fire investigators from Fire and Emergency and Police are working to establish the cause of the fire.

Fire and Emergency is working with Police, Iwi, DOC and local council civil defence staff to ensure the community is safe.  Residents in the area should take stay alert to the fire, with information updated regularly by media and on Fire and Emergency’s Manawatu-Whanganui District Facebook page www.facebook.com/ManawatuWhanganuiFENZ/ . Local councils and DOC are also sharing information.

Anyone within the area affected by smoke should keep doors and windows shut to minimise exposure. Residents who feel unsafe or are vulnerable to smoke are encouraged to self-evacuate and stay with family or friends.

SH47 Waimarino to Tongariro remains closed between the intersections with SH 48 and SH46 with no detours available.

DOC has closed the Tongariro Crossing and associated areas.

A no fly zone is in place covering the airspace over the fireground and surrounding area, so that firefighting aircraft are not endangered by other aircraft or drones.

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