Otago - Fire and Emergency

Otago - Fire and Emergency Providing guidance and information on how to prevent fires from occurring and spreading and helping people be prepared if they do occur.

11/06/2026

Tomorrow, between 12pm and 1pm, members of the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union will be stopping work for one hour.

We will continue to answer 111 fire calls. Volunteer stations in the affected cities and towns will respond, as they regularly do when there are multiple emergencies.

If you are at home, do not leave cooking unattended. Make sure you have working smoke alarms in every bedroom, hallway, and living area.
If there is a fire, get out, stay out, and call 111.

If you are at work, know your building evacuation plan. If there is a fire or the fire alarm sounds, exit the building, assemble at your safe meeting place and call 111.

If you are on a job site that uses spark or heat generating tools, we ask you to refrain from using these tools during this hour.

It is important to acknowledge that this strike action will not affect the parts of the country served by our volunteers.

If you are unsure whether your area is affected, please visit https://shorturl.at/thoU5

Coming at ya, Dunedin! Our MAN Angloco Type 3 fire truck is now in service – the first to become operational in Otago.Fi...
27/05/2026

Coming at ya, Dunedin!
Our MAN Angloco Type 3 fire truck is now in service – the first to become operational in Otago.
Firefighters trained on the new truck several weeks ago to learn its advanced technology, which includes an electronic pressure control management for pumping water, and more sophisticated instrumentation that allows pumping to be controlled from three places.
The truck is part of the Dunedin City Station fleet.

05/05/2026

It's New Zealand Sign Language Week and in Otago we're so proud to have one of our Queenstown-based team members sharing this life-saving reminder about home fire safety.
No matter what language you speak, Nick's message is for you! Here's where to install working smoke alarms:
👍 Bedrooms
👍 Hallways
👍 Living areas

Fire and Emergency New Zealand is moving the Otago Central, Naseby and Lakes zones into a restricted fire season as of 8...
15/04/2026

Fire and Emergency New Zealand is moving the Otago Central, Naseby and Lakes zones into a restricted fire season as of 8am on Wednesday 15 April, until further notice.

During a restricted fire season, anyone wanting to light an outdoor fire must first obtain a fire permit from Fire and Emergency.

The following special risk zones will remain in a prohibited fire season:
- Queenstown
- Lake Wānaka islands
- Lake Wakatipu islands
- Mt Iron and Albert Town reserve.

The section 52 prohibition of fireworks in Upper Waitaki, Central and Lakes fire zones will also be revoked at 8am on Wednesday 15 April, until further notice.

Fireworks will remain prohibited in the following special risk zones:
- Queenstown
- Lake Wānaka islands
- Lake Wakatipu islands
- Mt Iron and Albert Town reserve
- Glendhu Bluffs
- Naseby
- Lake Ōhau.

Otago District Commander, Deane Chalmers, says recent cooler weather has reduced the fire risk.

"South-westerly weather and shorter days mean the vegetation around the district is no longer as dry.

"Fires are less likely to start and will not spread as quickly in these conditions.

"But fires can start in Otago at any time of the year, which is why people must apply for a fire permit at www.checkitsalright.nz," Deane Chalmers says.

"This website will also tell you whether the conditions are safe and provide safety tips for your burn."

29/03/2026

Having a plan and kit for emergencies can help you worry less and recover faster. If you feel like there's too many hazards to worry about, we get that! Make a plan for impacts instead, like:
- lost power
- stuck at home
- can't get home
- need to leave quickly.

A total fire ban will come into force for most of the Queenstown Lakes District tomorrow morning (12 March) when a Prohi...
10/03/2026

A total fire ban will come into force for most of the Queenstown Lakes District tomorrow morning (12 March) when a Prohibited Fire Season takes effect in the Lakes Fire Zone shown on the map.

Yesterday there was a vegetation fire very close to houses at Arthur’s Point. Last Friday a burn-off at Arrow Junction escaped. Both fires threatened homes and other structures, affected walking and cycling trails, and took the efforts of firefighters from several brigades plus helicopters to bring under control.

🔥 All outdoor fires are banned.
🔥 Vegetation is very dry and will burn easily.
🔥 Call 111 straight away if you see flames or smoke
🔥 Go to www.checkitsalright.nz to find out what fire restrictions apply in your location.

Arrowtown Volunteer Fire Station Queenstown Volunteer Fire Brigade Frankton Volunteer Fire Station Kingston volunteer fire brigade Wanaka Volunteer Fire Brigade Luggate Volunteer Fire Brigade Lake Hawea Volunteer Fire Brigade

Queenstown Lakes District Council LAKE HĀWEA COMMUNITY NOTICE BOARD Arthurs Point Community Jacks Point Residents Group

A vegetation fire at Arthur's Point this afternoon has been extinguished with no damage to nearby homes. The fire was re...
10/03/2026

A vegetation fire at Arthur's Point this afternoon has been extinguished with no damage to nearby homes. The fire was reported just after 4.30pm and firefighters from Arrowtown, Frankton and Queenstown were quick to respond, supported by helicopters. Other brigades from further away were also dispatched but fortunately were not needed.

Today's fire is another reminder of how dry the grass and other vegetation is in inland Otago, and how quickly a fire can spread. Thank you to everyone who called 111 when they saw today's fire - it helped us respond swiftly and knock the fire down before it could do any serious damage.

Outdoor fires are banned in several areas and permits are required in others so wherever you are, please go to www.checkitsalright.nz and see what restrictions are in place before you reach for the matches.

Arrowtown Volunteer Fire Station Queenstown Volunteer Fire Brigade Frankton Volunteer Fire Station Queenstown Lakes District Council Glenorchy Volunteer Rural Fire Force Alexandra Volunteer Fire Brigade Arthurs Point Community

❗️Fire permits suspended in the Lakes Zone❗️Hot and windy weather 💥 has raised the fire risk in the Queenstown Lakes Dis...
05/03/2026

❗️Fire permits suspended in the Lakes Zone❗️
Hot and windy weather 💥 has raised the fire risk in the Queenstown Lakes District to extreme, so all fire permits in the Lakes Zone will be suspended for the next three days to protect the community, our firefighters and the environment.

🔥 The Lakes District is already in a Restricted Fire Season, so the suspension of existing fire permits means that no outdoor fires can be lit from 8am Friday 6 March until 9pm on Sunday 9 March.

🔥 If you're carrying out activities that can generate sparks, such as grinding or welding, please do this well away from vegetation.

🔥 Please time mowing, harvesting and similar activities for the early morning or evening to reduce the risk of metal from your machinery hitting a stone and sparking a fire.

🔥 Wherever you are in the country, go to www.checkitsalright.nz to see what fire restrictions apply in your location.
Queenstown Lakes District Council; Otago Federated Farmers
Queenstown Volunteer Fire Brigade Kingston volunteer fire brigade Frankton Volunteer Fire Station Wanaka Volunteer Fire Brigade Luggate Volunteer Fire Brigade Arrowtown Volunteer Fire Station Lake Hawea Volunteer Fire Brigade

⚠️Springvale Fire Update 8.25pm⚠️Firefighters supported by four helicopters have contained and largely suppressed a larg...
25/02/2026

⚠️Springvale Fire Update 8.25pm⚠️
Firefighters supported by four helicopters have contained and largely suppressed a large grass fire in the Springvale area near Clyde.
🔥 Residents of most of the properties evacuated this afternoon have been allowed to return home. A small number of properties to the west of McArthur Road are not yet able to go home.
🔥 21 fire trucks and support vehicles had responded and crews had worked hard to save homes from the fast-moving fire. One shed has been destroyed and flames have scorched the exterior of one house. About 20 hectares has been burned on both sides of Springvale Road, which remains closed.
🔥 Helicopters have been stood down and some of the fire crews are being released. Multiple crews will be working until dark with one crew remaining overnight, patrolling in case of flare-ups.
🔥 Additional crews will return tomorrow to extinguish some deep-seated areas of fire.
🔥 A specialist tree assessor is at work identifying and felling several dangerous trees which have been damaged by the fire. That work will ensure the safety of firefighters and residents.

4pm
Firefighters are working to contain a large grass fire near Clyde this afternoon which is threatening properties.

The fire is emitting a lot of smoke which is drifting towards Alexandra. If you are in the vicinity of the smoke, please stay inside with windows closed.

13 crews from around the area are responding supported by helicopters. Another five crews are on their way.

Fire and Emergency is also working alongside Police to support evacuations where they are needed.

Please stay away from the area of the fire so firefighters can do their job to contain the fire.

Central Otago District Council

Alexandra Volunteer Fire Brigade Clyde Volunteer Fire Brigade Cromwell Volunteer Fire Brigade, Millers Flat Volunteer Fire Brigade Dunedin Fire Brigade NZ

Wednesday will be hot and windy in parts of inland Otago, which will push up the fire risk. Please don't light any outdo...
24/02/2026

Wednesday will be hot and windy in parts of inland Otago, which will push up the fire risk. Please don't light any outdoor fires on Wednesday, even if where you live is not already covered by a total fire ban.

There's never any need to guess whether it's OK to light a fire - just go to www.checkitsalright.nz and type in your location.

Alexandra Volunteer Fire Brigade Roxburgh Volunteer Fire Brigade Millers Flat Volunteer Fire Brigade Clyde Volunteer Fire Brigade Cromwell Volunteer Fire Brigade Omakau Fire Brigade Ranfurly Volunteer Fire Brigade Wanaka Volunteer Fire Brigade Luggate Volunteer Fire Brigade Lake Hawea Volunteer Fire Brigade Omarama Volunteer Fire Brigade Queenstown Volunteer Fire Brigade Glenorchy Volunteer Rural Fire Force Arrowtown Volunteer Fire Station Middlemarch Volunteer Fire Brigade Kingston volunteer fire brigade

Central Otago District Council Queenstown Lakes District Council Naseby Forest Recreation Area Teviot Valley Discussion Group Ida Valley Catchment Group Inc. Otago Federated Farmers

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85 Castle Street
Dunedin
9016

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+64800673473

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