Matapiro Volunteer Rural Fire Brigade

26/08/2026

🔥 Thinking about lighting a burn pile this weekend?

Before you strike that match, run through this simple checklist:

✅ Check it's alright to burn
✅ Let Fire and Emergency know
✅ Watch the weather
✅ Burn early in the day
✅ Keep water on hand
✅ Continue checking the burn site for 5 days afterwards

Many escaped vegetation fires start from burn piles that weren't fully extinguished. Taking a few extra precautions can make all the difference.

Learn more at checkitsalright.nz

13/08/2026

✅ Do you have any large burns planned?

✅ Or are you planning a large burn such as a burn pile, skid site, forestry slash or any other large burn?

✅ Now is the time to undertake these fires, with the prediction of an El Nino summer approaching.

❗️Information below:

🔥 El Niño could bring a dangerous fire season for NZ.

An El Niño is forecast, bringing drier conditions through late winter and a warmer, drier and windier summer, particularly in our District.

This could mean a much higher wildfire risk, with escaped fires becoming harder to control. Fire restrictions and prohibitions may need to be introduced earlier this year.

🔥 If you have a large burn planned, now is the time to get it done. Large piles can smoulder for a long time, so make sure they are completely extinguished before fire danger increases.

If you can’t burn the whole pile, reduce the size and feed the fire gradually.

📲 Let us know when you’re lighting your burn:
0800 658 628 or checkitsalright.nz

Let’s stay safe and reduce the risk of escaped fires this summer.

04/08/2026

12/07/2026

Our AGM on Tuesday was a fun time. We were all gifted lovely pocket knives for our service and we were we able to celebrate our long serving members. It was also the changing of the guard with Sandra stepping away from being CFO and Rob taking over the reins supported by Heather. We thank all our team and those who support us. Matapiro Fire Brigade wouldn't be an amazing brigade without everyone.

03/05/2026

Our last training literally had us in knots.... Clove hitch to support the coupling, overhand knot and bite attached to the pump, also refreshing the good old reef knot.. We use this set up when we are pumping water out of a water source.

Also big congratulations to Andre Stehfest who spent a week away covering off several of the basic training units.

09/04/2026

With the cyclone on its way, please check any burn piles as winds can reignite any embers even down deep. Please refrain from lighting any new fires. Stay safe everyone and know that your local rural fire fighters are here to help.

18/03/2026

Last nights training saw us making the most of the last of the light evenings and heading down to the river. Here we set up drawing from the river, pumping to a portable dam. From the dam we split and pumped one to the trucks tank and the hose off this and then to another hose. Great training.

09/03/2026

04/03/2026

Last nights training saw us refreshing our CPR, O2 therapy and defibs training. We are not only rural fire fighters we are co responders too! Motor vehicle accidents or medical events our friendly faces maybe the first ones you see.

03/03/2026

Planning a land management burn?

Check out these hot tips from us:

Always check whether it’s safe to light a fire and if you’ll need a fire permit at checkitsalright.nz

Once you’ve checked the fire danger using our tool, select notify us at www.Firepermit.nz or on 0800 336 922 (0800FENZCALL). This lets us know you have a planned burn in the area.

Plan your escape route. It’s important to have more than one way out.

Identify a safe zone that is clear of vegetation in case you can’t evacuate and need shelter in place.

For more information safe and effective land clearance and stubble burns have a look at https://www.checkitsalright.nz/reduce-your-risk/fire-for-land-management