Response: What to do during a wildfire

Smoke contains substances that are harmful to health.

Smoke can make it hard for some people to breathe. Inhaling smoke may cause coughing, shortness of breath and throat irritation.

Smoke can irritate the eyes, causing a stinging sensation.

People with medical conditions, pregnant women, young children and the elderly may be particularly at risk from inhaling smoke.

Smoke can make it hard to see when you are driving. Some roads may be closed.

Smoke can interfere with powerlines, making them dangerous to be near.

If smoke is present

• Watch for signs of a wildfire, especially smoke, flames and loud noises including explosions.
• Stay inside and close windows and doors as smoke could be harmful.
• Turn off air conditioning units.
• Keep respiratory medication within easy reach.
• Reduce outdoor exercise.
• Avoid driving through smoke if you can. If the smoke is too thick to see through, it is unsafe to go through. Otherwise, turn your headlights and hazard lights on and drive slowly.
• Watch out for firefighters working in the area.

Be prepared to leave if there is a wildfire near you. Conditions can get worse quickly.  

Burning embers can be blown by the wind and start new fires up to several kilometres away from the main fire.

If your life or property is in danger, call 111 immediately.

Some roads may be closed or impacted.

Power, mobile phone services and internet may be impacted.

Stay informed – listen to your local radio station and follow your local Fire and Emergency District Facebook page – there is one for every region of New Zealand.

Watch out for firefighters working in the area.

Do not fly drones around the fire. Drones affect aerial firefighting operations.

Preparing to leave

Leaving early is the safest and best option. The later you try to leave a threatened area, the more likely you are to be in danger – both there and while you are evacuating. Don’t wait for an official order to leave if you are concerned for your safety.

If you find it hard to move quickly, or you and others in your household are elderly or dependent on others, you should always plan to leave early.

Prepare to leave so you can go quickly if the wildfire gets close:

• Decide where you and your household will go. Plan how you will get there. Check for local road closures on your council’s website and for state highways at www.nzta.govt.nz. Have a back-up plan in case your preferred route is blocked. Never try to bypass roadblocks or go off-road to “get around a fire”.
• If you do not drive, call your support service, a family member or a friend to organise transport.
• Check your grab bag has a mobile phone charger, enough clothes for five days, important documents (like ID, passports and photos), medicine, cash and keys.
• Bring your pets inside so they are ready to leave. Have pet carriers / leads ready.

If you have time, prepare your property before you leave:

• Close all windows, doors and vents.
• Turn on lawn sprinklers around your house to wet the ground.
• Bring doormats and outdoor furniture inside or move them away from the house.
• Block downpipes at the top and fill the gutters with water if you can.
• Move flammable items away from your house if you can.

Your water tank could be contaminated by debris, ash, fire retardants or dead animals.

• If you collect water from your roof, disconnect the downpipes to your water tank.

Check on neighbours and help others if you have time and it is safe to do so.

Firefighters may not be able to control or stop the fire. Do not expect emergency personnel at your door telling you to leave.

An evacuation order may be issued with immediate effect or with a very short notice period.

Power, water and mobile phone services may stop working.

Smoke will make it hard to see and breathe. The smoke will sting your eyes.

It will be hot and loud. You may hear explosions nearby.

The sky will be dark.

You could be isolated.

What to do if you are ordered to evacuate

Leave immediately if you are ordered to evacuate. Your life could be at risk. It will soon be too dangerous to drive.

You will put the lives of emergency services personnel at risk if you choose to remain and later call for help.

Take pets and important belongings with you if they are close at hand but don’t spend time looking for them.

Go to a place away from the emergency warning area. Plan how you will get there. Tell others where you are going.

• Check for local road closures on your council’s website and on state highways at www.nzta.govt.nz.
• Have a back-up plan in case your preferred route is blocked.
• Never try to bypass roadblocks or go off-road to “get around a fire”.

Wear protective clothing and stay hydrated.

Keep medications with you.

Stay informed – listen to your local radio station and follow your local Fire and Emergency District Facebook page – there is one for every region of New Zealand

Do not fly drones around the fire. Drones affect aerial firefighting operations.

Sheltering in place is the last resort in the worst-case scenario. You will need to shelter in place when:

• it is no longer safe to leave.
• firefighters cannot stop the fire. Do not expect emergency personnel at your door.

Power, water and mobile phone services may stop working.

Thick smoke and flying embers will make it hard to see and breathe, and will sting your eyes.

It will be very hot and loud. You may hear explosions nearby.

The sky will be dark.

What to do if you have to shelter in place

Your life is in danger. You need to seek shelter immediately to survive.

Do not try to leave. Driving now could be deadly.

The place where you shelter should be:

• Inside a building.
• On the opposite side from the approaching fire.
• In a room with multiple escape points. Make sure you always have two ways out of the room you are in.

Put on protective clothing like closed in shoes, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt made of cotton or wool. Avoid synthetic clothes that can melt if exposed to high heat.

Close windows and doors. Seal any gaps with wet towels.

Check for embers inside. Put them out quickly with water.

Have plenty of water with you and drink lots to stay hydrated.

Keep vital medications with you.

Do not try to leave before the main fire front has passed, it is too dangerous.

As the fire approaches and passes, the safest place will change so be ready to move quickly.

Keep pets safe inside. Move them when you move. Give them water.

Stay informed if you can:

• Listen to your local radio station.
• Keep checking the Fire and Emergency District Facebook page for your area.