Remutaka Volunteer Fire Brigade

22/05/2026

⚠️ Burn off advisory ⚠️

Fire and Emergency New Zealand would like to advise there’ll be three controlled burn offs of forestry slash piles on Collins Ave over the next few days. The first burn will be lit around 8.30am Saturday 23 May.

Wellington is currently in an open fire season.

We are advised the burns will be closely supervised, and all appropriate safety precautions taken. Weather conditions and fire risk will be monitored throughout the activity.

There will be visible smoke from the fires. If you're property is impacted by smoke we recommend closing windows and doors.

If conditions become unsuitable, the burn will be extinguished or postponed.

We are notifying residents and the wider public to reduce unnecessary concern and minimise the number of 111 calls..

10/05/2026

Happy Mother’s Day to all the wonderful mums in our brigade and to the mums, partners, and families who support our firefighters everyday🌷
We appreciate all that you do for our crew and community.

03/05/2026

03/05/2026

Today is International Firefighters' Day Whakanuia Ngā Kaipatuahi

To all firefighters on International Firefighters’ Day, thank you for your service. Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou. 🚒

26/04/2026

A few of our vehicles headed over the hill to assist Wairarapa during the recent storm events.
Thanks to Greytown Volunteer Fire Brigade for having us.

20/04/2026

Tuesday update – 2.30pm

Updated weather warnings and watches 🟠🟡

We are now under an Orange Heavy Rain Warning until 6.00pm and a Strong Wind Watch until 9.00pm tonight.

Conditions are still hazardous. Stay alert, always travel to conditions, and be prepared for unexpected impacts on your journey – clean-up works are taking place across the wider region.

Local roading update 🚗

SH2 (Remutaka Hill, Kaitoke to Featherston) remains closed due to a bridge washout. NZTA crews are working on a temporary fix and estimate the route to be closed for 24 hours. For the latest updates on the roading network, check the NZTA Journey Planner 👇
https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/journey-planner

One lane is still closed at 615 Whitemans Valley Road due to a slip. Work is under way to clear this and expected to be completed this afternoon.

Akatarawa Road, around 1km south of Staglands: debris and small slips have narrowed the road. Stay alert and travel with caution.

Be prepared for slips and landslides 🪨

Ongoing rain has made the ground and our surrounding hills water-logged.

Watch out for the following:
- Small slips, rock falls and subsidence at the bottom of slopes
- Sticking doors and window frames
- Gaps where frames are not fitting properly
- Outside fixtures such as steps, decks, and verandas moving or tilting away from the rest of the house
- New cracks or bulges on the ground, road, footpath, retaining walls and other hard surfaces
- Tilting trees, retaining walls or fences

If you notice any of the above, move to safety immediately – do not delay. If life is at risk, ring 111.

Thank you to everyone who has stayed informed with us and followed official advice yesterday, overnight, and this morning. We’ll continue to provide updates as needed here and on our website.

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Tuesday update – 9.50am

Traffic and roading update 🚗

The following roads are currently closed or impacted:

• State Highway 2 (Remutaka Hill) Kaitoke to Featherston is CLOSED due to a bridge washout; delay travel if possible
• One lane is closed at 615 Whitemans Valley Road due to a slip

Wallaceville Hill Road is fully OPEN again.

Our crews continue to be out and about across Upper Hutt checking and assessing infrastructure.

Avoid all non-essential travel and expect delays throughout the day.

If you must travel, stay alert and be prepared for conditions to change quickly.

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Tuesday update – 7.30am

‼️ Road closure: State Highway 2 Kaitoke to Featherston, (Remutaka Hill)

Due to a bridge washout, State Highway 2 is closed between Kaitoke and Featherston.

Delay travel if possible and stay up to date on the latest traffic updates via the NZTA Journey Planner 👇
https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/journey-planner

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🌧️Tuesday update – 6.05am

Good morning, Upper Hutt!

Heavy rain and strong winds are currently forecast to continue across the region today. Conditions remain unpredictable, and the risk of slips, flooding, and surface flooding is still high today.

👉 Avoid unnecessary travel. Stay home if it is safe to do so.

🚗 If you must travel:
• drive to the conditions and slow down
• increase following distances
• watch for debris, surface flooding, and slips
• expect delays and possible road closures

⛔ Local road closures and restrictions:
• One lane is closed at 615 Whitemans Valley Road due to a slip
• The right lane on Wallaceville Hill Road is closed due to a fallen tree
• The parking area under the Silverstream Bridge is closed for public safety

🏫 Check before you go:
• Check with your child’s school or early childhood centre for closures
• Check Metlink for public transport disruptions
• Check with your workplace about alternative arrangements
• Check NZTA Journey Planner for live updates to state highways disruptions: https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/journey-planner

⚠️ Stay safe:
• Do not walk, drive, or play in floodwater
• Stay away from rivers, streams, and bridges
• Do not attempt to clear slips or debris yourself. These areas can be unstable and dangerous
• Please continue to report issues to Council and allow trained crews to respond safely
• Be prepared for possible power outages
• Keep phones charged and emergency supplies ready

🤝 Look out for one another
• Check in on neighbours, friends, and whānau, especially those who may need extra support, when it is safe to do so

📢 Council crews are continuing to monitor conditions and responding where needed. We will keep providing updates through the day

Stay safe, Upper Hutt. 💛

19/04/2026

Fire and Emergency New Zealand has been alerted to more than 150 weather-related events in Wellington this morning.

The callouts relate to flooding, flooding into properties and landslides across Vogeltown, Mornington, Newtown, Berhampore, Kingston, Island Bay and surrounding areas.

Fire and Emergency’s Regional Coordination Centre has also been stood up in response to the weather.

Deputy National Commander Megan Stiffler says Fire and Emergency is assisting Wellington Region Emergency Management Office (WREMO) in its response.

"We echo WREMO’s advice. In the event of flooding, head for higher ground and stay away from floodwater.

"Floods and flash floods can happen quickly. If you see rising water, do not wait for official warnings

"Do not try to walk, play, swim, or drive in floodwater.

"Do not drive through floodwater. You are putting yourself at risk, and risking the lives of those who come to your rescue.

"Don’t wait for emergency mobile alerts or other official warnings: if you see flood waters trust your sense and act immediately."

Megan Stiffler advises the public to delay all non-essential travel and follow the advice of WREMO and Wellington City Council.

"I would also like to thank the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union (NZPFU) for calling off its planned strike action this morning at short notice.

"It is great to work together to ensure we are able to assist our communities in their time of need."

10/04/2026

08/01/2026

If you’re still writing your New Year’s resolutions, consider adding ‘be fire safe this summer’ to that list! 🔥

After a wet holiday period for many of us, summer has finally returned to Aotearoa New Zealand. While this may seem like good news, it also poses an increased fire risk.

This weekend, many parts of the country will be experiencing elevated fire danger conditions, with temperatures expected to surpass 30 degrees in some locations, wind gusts of 30km/h at times, and low humidity.
These conditions are what we call a perfect storm for wildfire risk!

The risk will be highest in the Canterbury, Marlborough, Wairarapa, Hawke’s Bay, Tairāwhiti, and Northland districts.

If your weekend plans include any activities involving an outdoor fire or spark/heat generating activities such as using power tools and mowing the lawn, we’re asking you to consider postponing these activities.

Physically check any burn piles from the last few weeks are fully extinguished. If in doubt put more water on it to make sure it’s fully extinguished ahead of these extreme conditions

You can stay updated on this weekend’s weather conditions and seek safety advice on www.checkitsalright.nz