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

Northernmost part of Aotearoa moving to a Prohibited Fire Season

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Northernmost part of Aotearoa moving to a Prohibited Fire Season

23 Hakihea 2025

Outdoor fires will be banned in the northernmost part of Northland from midday today, when Fire and Emergency New Zealand moves its Muri Whenua Fire Zone into a Prohibited Fire Season.

District Manager Wipari Henwood says the total fire ban is a preventative measure because of the increasing fire risk at the top of the North Island. It will be in place until further notice.

“We have had an extended period with high winds and very little rainfall in this area so there is a much higher risk than normal that fires will escape. If they do escape it will be harder for firefighters to contain them and stop them spreading,” he says.

All fire permits for the area which have already been issued for the Muri Whenua Zone are suspended under the Prohibited Fire Season.

Cultural cooking fires including hangi and umu may still be allowed during a Prohibited Fire Season if they meet the conditions set out on Fire and Emergency’s www.checkitsalright website and the weather is favourable.

“We are asking people to follow the weather forecast very carefully and only light cultural cooking fires in calm conditions,” Wipari Henwood says. “Winds over 15km/hr make it much more likely that a fire will escape.” If people have any doubt at all about whether it’s safe to light a cultural cooking fire, please check the MetService website for the current wind conditions and follow all the advice about safety at www.checkitsalright.

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