Mid-South Canterbury - Fire and Emergency

30/07/2026

Tomorrow, between 12pm and 1pm, members of the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union will be stopping work for one hour.

We will continue to answer 111 fire calls. Volunteer stations in the affected cities and towns will respond, as they regularly do when there are multiple emergencies.

If you are at home, do not leave cooking unattended. Make sure you have working smoke alarms in every bedroom, hallway, and living area.

If there is a fire, get out, stay out, and call 111.

If you are at work, know your building evacuation plan. If there is a fire or the fire alarm sounds, exit the building, assemble at your safe meeting place and call 111.

If you are on a job site that uses spark or heat generating tools, we ask you to refrain from using these tools during this hour.

It is important to acknowledge that this strike action will not affect the parts of the country served by our volunteers.

If you are unsure whether your area is affected, please visit https://shorturl.at/thoU5

17/07/2026

🏠 Providing accommodation?

Are you renting your property through Airbnb or a similar platform, or providing accommodation for tourists or seasonal workers?

You may have legal obligations to ensure everyone staying in your property can evacuate safely if there is a fire.

🔥 Buildings providing overnight accommodation for six or more paying guests must have a fire evacuation scheme approved by Fire and Emergency New Zealand.

Find out more and apply online here:
🔗 https://fireandemergency.nz/online-services

Need advice? Your local Fire and Emergency Risk Reduction Advisors are happy to help.

📧 [email protected]

Don’t wait for an emergency—check that your accommodation meets its fire safety obligations today.

13/07/2026

Good morning Canterbury,
The latest MetService severe weather watch as at 8:35 pm, 13 July 2026.
Heavy Rain Watch
Area: The headwaters of Canterbury lakes and rivers south of Arthur's Pass
Period: 18 hours from 3:00am Tue 14 Jul to 9:00pm Tue 14 Jul
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain with thunderstorms possible. Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria within 20 km east of the main divide.
Note, rain easing from the south during Tuesday evening.
Moderate chance of upgrading to a Warning.
Impact: Streams and rivers may rise rapidly. Surface flooding, slips, and difficult driving conditions possible.
Strong Wind Watch

Area: Canterbury Plains inland of State Highway 1 between the Selwyn and Rangitata rivers
Period: 5 hours from 12:00pm Tue 14 Jul to 5:00pm Tue 14 Jul
Forecast: Northwest winds may approach severe gale (100 km/h).
Moderate chance of upgrading to a Warning.

Area: Canterbury High Country
Period: 12 hours from 10:00am Tue 14 Jul to 10:00pm Tue 14 Jul
Forecast: Northwest winds may approach severe gale in exposed places.
Note, winds easing from the south during Tuesday evening.
Moderate chance of upgrading to a Warning.

Impact: Damage to trees, powerlines, and unsecured structures possible. Driving may be difficult, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles.
For more information and updates visit https://www.metservice.com/warnings/home

09/07/2026