The Manawatū-Whanganui Region has large areas of both native and production forest.
During very dry periods there is a significant risk of wildfire, whether from natural, accidental or deliberate ignition.
As a region we experience a number of wildfires each year that have the potential to become significant events. With our climate becoming drier, the risk of wildfires is likely to increase across the region.
Depending upon the location of the fire and the weather conditions at the time, these can have significant impact on nearby communities, our economy and the natural environment.
What you need to know
There are actions you can take on your property to reduce the risks of wildfire.
- Always check whether it's safe to light a fire, and if you'll need a fire permit, at Check It's Alright before lighting.
- Have a hui (meeting) with your whānau/household and plan your escape route. When planning your route, you won't always know what direction the fire is coming from. It's important to have more than one way out - and that everyone in your household knows these routes and a safe meeting point to go to.
- Identify a safe zone that is clear of vegetation in case you can't evacuate and have to shelter in place. You may need to shelter in place on your property or in your community. A safe zone might be somewhere that has:
- large areas of concrete,
- well-maintained short grass, or
- large volumes of water.
- Work out what supplies you might need, and have enough for everyone in your whānau/household and that everyone knows where to find these supplies. Make sure you include animals in your plan.
- Know how you will stay informed. Emergency services will always try to alert you to an approaching wildfire, but there may not be time to issue an official warning. Be aware of what is happening in your area - especially if you live rurally.
- Know the signs. If you see or smell smoke on a hot or windy day, be aware and vigilant - fire can move very quickly.
Hot work
Practice good fire safety when doing anything that could cause a spark, such as hot work (any work involving tools that could start a fire).
- Don't do hot work outdoors during prohibited fire seasons unless you have a special permit.
- Where possible, perform hot work indoors at a designated safe location, like a welding bay. If this isn't possible, make sure you move any fire hazards or flammable materials out of the area before starting.
- Thirty minutes after you've finished any hot work, do a final check for any hot spots that might cause a fire.
- Always have firefighting equipment (e.g: a garden hose) on hand, and know how to use it, in case a fire starts.
If in doubt, get out.
Wildfires move quickly. If you see smoke or flames from a wildfire and feel unsafe, don't wait for an official warning to leave - trust your danger sense. Evacuate immediately. Call 111 if your life or property is threatened, or you can't evacuate on your own.
If you have time before you evacuate:
- Turn on sprinklers
- Fill gutters with water
- Wet down materials like firewood that may fuel the fire
If you have more time, you can also:
- Move vehicles to a safe location
- Move lightweight outdoor items inside
- Wet down the sides of buildings, decks and plants close to your home
- Move animals and livestock to a well-grazed or ploughed area
- Close windows, doors and vents, and shut blinds
- Seal gaps under doors and windows with wet towels
If you don't have time to do the above - evacuate.
Do not go to view an active wildfire or fly drones around the fire. Drones affect firefighting air operations.
Following a wildfire, it's important to stay informed because the situation can change quickly and get worse again. Listen to the radio or follow the Civil Defence Manawatū-Whanganui Facebook page for updates.
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Only return home if you have been told it is safe to do so by an official source.
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Watch out for firefighters still working in the area.
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Some roads may still be closed because of:
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Ongoing firefighting operations
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Fallen trees or branches
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Downed powerlines
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Damage to roading infrastructure
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Watch out for hazards like burnt trees, hot embers on the ground and fallen powerlines.
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Treat any fallen powerlines as live, and report any fallen lines you discover to your local power authority to assess.
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Treat all damaged trees as dangerous. Don't walk under them until an arborist has assessed them.
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Cleaning up after a wildfire
It's not uncommon after a wildfire for the smell or smoke or a smoky haze to remain for several days. Get professional advice about ventilating and cleaning if your home or belongings smell of smoke.
When cleaning up, wear:
- Enclosed footwear
- Eye protection
- Gloves
- A face mask
- Long trousers
Contact your local council's environmental health officer for advice before using:
- Food collected from the property
- Onsite feed supplies for animals
- Water from storage tanks for drinking
Boiling water does not remove fire retardants or other chemicals from your water.
Reduce your risk
Visit the Get Ready website to find out how you can reduce your wildfire risk.
Ngā pārongo mō tō rohe Find information about your district
Palmerston North City
A lively university city and the main urban hub of the Manawatū-Whanganui Region.
Manawatū
A fertile river plain district recognised for agriculture, research, and transport links.
Horowhenua
A coastal district known for fertile farmland, market gardens and booming population.
Tararua
A rural area stretching from the Ruahine and Tararua ranges to the Pacific coast.
Rangitīkei
Characterised by dramatic river gorges, rolling farmland, and small rural towns.
Whanganui
A district characterised by the river which flows through it.
Ruapehu
Home to ski fields, volcanic landscapes and many rural communities.
