Little River Volunteer Fire Brigade

30/07/2026

Banks Peninsula is under a yellow wind watch for tomorrow evening.

Remember there's always a good possibility some areas may lose power due to fallen trees and/or branches, have your torches and board games ready😁
Watch out for debri on our roads and be safe out there.

29/07/2026

Callout
29/07/2026 10 39am
Litt4733
Medical Response

26/07/2026

⚠️⚠️ ICEY ROADS⚠️⚠️

Take care and slow down.

29/06/2026

Landowners whose unattended burn piles caused a string of vegetation fires across Canterbury last Saturday are being visited by Fire and Emergency New Zealand to ensure they understand their responsibilities for land management fires.

District Commander Dave Stackhouse said that 11 fires escaped and spread quickly in the severe nor-westerly winds. As a result, the district’s firefighters were stretched to levels normally only seen in mid-summer. “I am very disappointed at the number of fires that had been left unattended,” he said. “If it hadn’t rained later on Saturday, we would have been calling on brigades from other districts to assist.”

As it was, almost every fire brigade in Canterbury was called out, so volunteers were called away from their families and Saturday activities for fires that were mostly completely avoidable.

The winds were well forecast so should not have caught anyone by surprise.

While Canterbury is currently in an open fire season, meaning permits are not required for outdoor fires, landowners are always responsible for the fires that they light on their properties. The same applies to forestry managers.

Under Section 60 of the Fire and Emergency New Zealand Act, it is an offence to cause or allow a fire to get out of control and to spread to vegetation or property. The penalties for individuals include a fine of up to $300,000 and up to two years imprisonment.

The message was very simple, Commander Stackhouse said: if you light a fire, you are responsible for it.

While Fire and Emergency always preferred to educate people rather than prosecute, at least one of last Saturday’s fires was on a property where there had been an escaped land management fire within the last year.

Fires must not be left unattended and have to be completely extinguished, not left to smolder. When strong winds are forecast, anyone who has lit a fire should be checking for hotspots that could be reignited.

There is extensive advice at www.checkitsalright.nz.

Vegetation across Canterbury is already unusually dry for this time of year, and the outlook suggests a very high risk of wildfire in spring and summer because of the predicted El Nino weather pattern.

20/06/2026

Callout
20/06/2026 12.57pm
Litt4771 Accante01 Chris2518
Gove331 Gove3311 Lees4311
Linc417
Hedge fire

19/06/2026

We had some good gusts of wind last night.
Banks Peninsula is under an orange warning this afternoon so secure all loose items large and small.

Extinguish all previous outdoor fires and please do not light any new ones until weather settles again.
www.checkitsalright.nz

Good morning Canterbury,
The latest wind and raining orange warnings from MetService as at 09:51, 20 June 2026.

Heavy rain warning - orange

Area: Headwaters of the Canterbury lakes and rivers south of the Hurunui River

Period: 10 hours from 9:00am Sat 20 Jun to 7:00pm Sat 20 Jun
Forecast: On top of what has already fallen, expect 200 to 250 mm of rain about the main divide, and 100 to 140 mm within 15 km farther east, with thunderstorms possible. Peak rates of 20 to 30 mm/h expected about the divide. Freezing level about 2600 metres in heavy rain. Minimal chance of upgrading to a Red Warning.

Impact: Streams and rivers may rise rapidly. Surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions possible.

Action: Clear your drains and gutters to prepare for heavy rain. Avoid low-lying areas and drive cautiously.

Strong wind warning - orange

Area: Canterbury Plains about and north of Rakaia, including Christchurch and Banks Peninsula

Period: 4 hours from 1:00pm Sat 20 Jun to 5:00pm Sat 20 Jun
Forecast: Severe gale northwest winds gusting 120 km/h in exposed places.

Minimal chance of upgrading to a Red Warning.

Impact: Damage to trees, powerlines, and unsecured structures possible. Driving may be difficult, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles.

Action: Prepare your property by securing items that can be picked up by strong winds. Drive cautiously.

For more information and updates visit https://www.metservice.com/warnings/home

15/06/2026

Callout
15/06/2026 11.53am
Litt471 Litt4771
Trees on fire

15/06/2026

Callout
15/06/2026 11.41am
Litt4733
Medical Response

10/06/2026

Callout
11/06/2026 2.10am
Litt4733
Medical Response

05/06/2026

Callout
05/06/2026 2.14pm
Litt4733
Medical Response