Napier Operational Support

11/04/2026

5.30am update
⚠️ If life or safety is at risk, always call 111 straight away
⚠️ Follow the advice of your local Civil Defence group and emergency services
⚠️ Avoid driving through floodwaters

Firefighters responded to 12 incidents resulting from Cyclone Vaianu overnight. Most of them related to the winds, with fallen trees affecting property and roofs lifting.

Enhanced rescue teams are on standby in Whangarei, Auckland, Rotorua, Tairawhiti, and Coromandel to support local brigades.

Fire and Emergency’s National Coordination Centre is activated, along with our Region Coordination Centres in Auckland and Tauranga.

Yesterday crews helped Civil Defence and Police with precautionary evacuations from coastal areas in Northland and Bay of Plenty.

26/01/2026

The Hawke’s Bay District will move to an open fire season from 9am Wednesday 28 January.

An open fire season means fires can be lit without a permit, as long as people use common sense and follow fire safety guidelines, which can be found on www.checkitsalright.nz.

💡Now is also a good time to ensure your property is prepared in the event of fire.

🏡Cut your grass, keep it short, and check your driveway is clear to allow fire trucks access if necessary

🪵 Keep burn piles small. Don’t light more than one at a time and have sufficient means to fully extinguish any burn offs.

📲 For fire safety advice and more information on how to prepare your property head to www.checkitsalright.nz

11/01/2026

Waitara Road fire update 21:15
❗️Emergency Mobile Alert ❗️

"FIRE & EMERGENCY ALERT: There is a large fire in the area of Waitara/Pohokura Rds, Te Haroto. For all campers and DOC workers in the Boundary Stream Camp & Bell Rock Rd Scenic Reserve areas EVACUATE the immediate area. www.fireandemergency.nz"

Waitara Road Fire update 19:30
If you are on the Bell Rock Loop Track, please evacuate out of the area.

We have helo operating in the area and multiple fire appliances on scene.

🚨 Our people are currently responding to a fire in a forestry block near Waitara Road, Te Haroto.

🚧 Pohokura Road is closed from Tutira end. 🚧

Please remain out of the area.

09/01/2026

Our people are looking after each other and staying hydrated with this beautiful weather we are having.

We ask that you do your part;
⚡️Minimising spark generated activities
👀 Checked old burn piles
📫 Make sure your rapid deployment number is visible
🚒 Ensure your driveway has 4mx4m access for our fire trucks
🎇 NO FIREWORKS

🚫 Reminder all fire permits are SUSPENDED. 🚫

File photo - Dec 2024

08/01/2026

It’s getting hot out there, so listen to what we’ve got to say…

🔥 High fire danger across Hawke’s Bay 🔥

Things are heating up across Ahuriri Heretaunga, Central Hawke’s Bay, and Northern Tararua from tomorrow.

With temperatures over 30°C, strong winds, low humidity, and very little rain, we have the potential to have what Fire and Emergency calls spike fire risk days.

🗣️ These conditions mean fires can start easily, spread fast, and quickly become extremely difficult to control.

🚒 Our crews are ready and prepared — but we need the public’s help too.

A few small actions can make a big difference:

🚫 Hold off on spark-makers

Postpone mowing, grinding, welding, or using power tools.

🔥 Check old burn piles

If they’re less than two months old, make sure they’re fully out.

🚒 Clear access for fire trucks

At least 4m wide x 4m high on driveways.

📍 Make your RAPID number visible

It helps crews find you faster when seconds matter.

📞 See smoke? Call 111 immediately

Early calls help us stop small fires becoming big ones.

🚫 Fire permits suspended

Most of Hawke’s Bay is already in a restricted or prohibited fire season, and all fire permits are suspended across the District from today.

👉 Stay up to date at www.checkitsalright.nz

Let’s all do our bit to keep Hawke’s Bay safe.

One spark is all it takes — let’s not be that spark. 🔥🚒

06/01/2026

Today we honour and remember the passing of one of own, Alan James Parkes “Parksey”, on 6 January 2025. It was a privilege to host the whānau sharing kai and a couple of quiets to mark the occasion. Will be forever in our hearts RIP 💕

01/01/2026

As we close out the first day of 2026 I want to acknowledge the efforts of our brigade members over the past year. From farewells to births and everything in between our team has continued to respond when the community needed us...well done and a massive effort.
To our whanau who have had to endure interrupted sleeps, missed dinners and half-finished chores...we see you and thank you...you are our why's.
To our colleagues both career and volunteer, cheers to a job well done, stay safe out there.

24/12/2025

From our whānau to yours, Meri Kirihimete! 🎅

We hope your day is safe, happy, and filled with aroha.

Please join us in thanking all of our people who will be working or on call today, thank you for all the sacrifices you make to keep your communities safe.

22/12/2025

21/12/2025

This week, we have responded to more large vegetation fires in various districts. In hot and windy conditions, fires can start easily and spread quickly.

Go to www.checkitsalright.nz to find out your local fire season and whether it’s safe to light a fire. If it’s hot and windy, postpone your burns and take extreme care with spark generating activities.

This map shows the fire season status as of 9am 19/12/2025.

🔴 If your area is in a red zone, there is a total fire ban. No fires are permitted.
🟡 If your area is in a yellow zone, you may need to apply for a permit. Go to www.checkitsalright.nz to check and apply.
🟢 If your area is in a green zone, you do not need a permit but go to www.checkitsalright.nz for safety tips before lighting.

Remember, the fire season status can change at any time.

Go to www.checkitsalright.nz for the latest information.

19/12/2025

‼️ Total fire ban for more of Hawke’s Bay ‼️

Fire and Emergency New Zealand is enforcing a total fire ban on open-air fires in the Southern Hawkes Bay Coast and Porangahau zones of Hawke’s Bay. These zones are now in a prohibited fire season.

During a prohibited fire season, no fires are allowed in the open and all fire permits are suspended.

Ahuriri-Heretaunga and Tukituki East zones of Hawke’s Bay remain in a prohibited fire season.

Tararua East zone will also be moving into a restricted fire season. A restricted fire season means anyone who wants to light an open-air fire will need to obtain a permit, which you can apply for at www.checkitsalright.nz

☀️ These areas are experiencing prolonged dry conditions and warm weather.

🌧️There is also no rainfall forecast for the coming weeks

The risk of a fire starting and getting out of control has become too great, these restrictions will remain in place until further notice.

Visit checkitsalright.nz and enter your address to find out what fire season you are in, and, if you are allowed to light an open-air fire, what conditions you must meet to light one.