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

Search results for Now, the roofs are coming off the houses! Evacuation in New Zealand! Cyclone Gabrielle!

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Extreme caution needed as more districts see fire danger spiking

News and media|10 January 2026

The weather is already heating up as a heat wave passes through Aotearoa New Zealand.

Care urged after spate of fatal house fires

News and media|25 July 2025

Fire and Emergency New Zealand is asking everyone to put fire safety at the front of their minds following a spike in the number of fatal house fires.

Total fire ban for Canterbury District

News and media|2 September 2024

All outdoor fires are now banned in Canterbury until next Monday.

Broken gas main closes road in Otaki

News and media|12 September 2025

Just after midday a digger struck a gas main between Arthur Street and Rahui Street on the main road in Otaki which is the old State Highway 1.

Fire and Emergency implores the Far North to take fire prohibitions more seriously

News and media|10 February 2020

Firefighters in the Far North are urging their communities to take the current fire prohibitions more seriously.

Fire and Emergency received calls for 16 incidents during today’s strike

News and media|16 October 2026

Fire and Emergency New Zealand received calls for 16 incidents between 12 pm and 1pm today, Friday 16 October, the sixty-ninth time the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union (NZPFU) has taken strike action.

Fire and Emergency received calls for 16 incidents during today’s NZPFU strike

News and media|23 October 2026

Fire and Emergency New Zealand received calls for 16 incidents between 12pm and 1pm today, Friday 23 October, the seventy-first time the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union (NZPFU) has taken strike action.

Waiharara Wildfire Investigation Report

Found in: Research and reports | Operational reviews and reports

The wildfire at Waiharara in the Far North a year ago was devastating for the local community, and hugely destructive of a nearby wetland area.