Upper Moutere Volunteer Fire Brigade

23/04/2026

🔥 Open fire season our region 🔥
Fire and Emergency New Zealand is revoking the restricted fire season for our region from 8am on Friday 24 April, until further notice.

An open fire season means you do not need a permit from Fire and Emergency to light an outdoor fire.

All Department of Conservation land (PCL) remains in a restricted fire season, meaning anyone wanting to light a fire needs a permit approved by Fire and Emergency.

Reminder from District Commander Grant Haywood “However, if you are lighting a fire, it is your responsibility to do so in a safe manner. Fires must be kept to a manageable size and smoke drift should not be a hazard for motorists. If it is windy, please postpone your burn.

We urge everyone to continue going to www.checkitsalright.nz before lighting any fires to check if it’s safe to light and to access safety advice.

Nelson Marlborough - Fire and Emergency

14/04/2026

We are desperate for volunteers. Last week we had only two of our Brigade members available due to other commitments - we need at least four to respond to any fires, accidents or other emergencies needing fire fighters in our region.

So please be careful as help might be further away than you think.

If you want to know more or keen to join, then drop us a DM or call our Deputy Chief, Fiona Bryan on 021 147 4639

09/04/2026

With Cyclone Vaianu, which is forecast to affect most of the North Island and potentially parts of the upper South Island this weekend.

Awareness and preparedness are important for each of us, we encourage you to review your personal and household readiness for this storm.

Please make sure that everyone in your whanau or household is well equipped for the likely impacts of the incoming weather.

NEMA has practical advice on the Get Ready website.

Emergencies can happen anytime, anywhere. You can take steps to be prepared.

06/04/2026

🔥 Old or damaged electric blankets can pose a serious fire risk - let us help you stay warm and safe this winter with the help of Laser Electrical 🔥

📍Laser Electrical, 20 Elms Street, Stoke, Nelson
📅 Tuesday 14th April 2026
🕑 11am - 1pm
🚶‍♀️Walk-ins only

04/04/2026

Do you have an overhanging hedge, trees, archway or other structure in your driveway?

Not only do our appliances need 4m x4m to access your property, we also need to be able to find you.

- Ensure your property is clearly numbered, including RAPID numbers so that we can find you quickly and easily.
- If you live down a right of way, ensure your properties are clearly numbered, not just at the start of the right of way.
- If you live in a gated community, our crew will require the access code to get in.

These simple things don't only help us, but also help our colleagues, such as ambulance, police, and even water delivery trucks 🚑🚓🚒

Visit the link below for more information on how to safeguard your property.
https://fireandemergency.nz/outdoor-and-rural-fire-safety/protect-your-home-from-outdoor-fires/access-to-the-property-for-emergency-services/

02/04/2026

Can you crack the code to find the hidden message 👀

🐱🏠🥚🐱🔑
🪀🐙☂️💍
☀️🎤🐙🔑🥚
🍎🦁🍎🌹🐒☀️

Hint: use the first letter of each emoji 🤓

26/03/2026

Please keep an eye on this for updates on road closures during this weather. If you can, please stay home.
https://tdc.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/basic/index.html?appid=727c983d6f3148cbbd79118345032180&fbclid=IwY2xjawQylmxleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFpQTAyTktMWURNbUFoT28zc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHiMxINaJj6a-ZBjGs9-CH92VqjdvotKT-VPnzAPFIqlw9zxfBbxNl7euAp_S_aem_zpvrk9ixmEyazyTQRmLEvw

26/03/2026

We’re running out of people.

This isn’t a problem unique to one town or one firestation. It’s happening everywhere.

Across our communities, the number of people willing and able to volunteer is shrinking. At the same time, the calls are not slowing down. If anything, they’re increasing. More emergencies. More need. Fewer people stepping forward to meet it.

Inside the firestation, that reality is already here, and being felt in real ways.

The same names keep showing up. The same group of people answering calls again and again. The list isn’t getting longer. The workload isn’t getting lighter. The workforce isn't getting younger.

This isn’t about the future anymore. This is happening right now.
I won’t sugarcoat it. Joining a volunteer fire firebrigade isn't easy, and it takes time. The initial training is demanding. It will interrupt your routine. There will be nights when it’s inconvenient, when it would be easier to stay home, when you question whether you can keep up.

That part is real. But it’s also temporary.

What’s on the other side of that effort is something most people will never experience. You learn how to stay calm when others can’t. You learn how to step into situations people naturally avoid and actually be useful. You gain real skills you use on calls, at home, and in everyday life. And you become part of a group that shows up for their neighbors when they need it most.

It’s rewarding. It’s satisfying. And it makes a difference in your life, and in your community. It changes how you see yourself.

This isn’t about being a certain type of person. It’s not about being the strongest or the fastest. It’s not about having experience or knowing exactly what to do on day one. There are roles for all kinds of people; on the fireground, in EMS, and behind the scenes.
What matters is the willingness to step forward and learn. Men and women. Young adults. Parents. People with full-time jobs and other commitments. People who have thought about it before but never took the first step. You don’t need to be ready for the worst right now. You just need to be willing to start.

Because here’s the truth: The calls will keep coming. They always do. It might be your house. It might be your neighbour. The only question is who will be there to answer them. Will it be you?

If this made you stop for even a second, don’t overthink it. Stop by your local firestation. Message them. Talk to someone. Sit in on a drill. Ask questions. No pressure. No commitment. Just come see what it’s really about.

Because the hardest part isn’t the training. It’s walking through the door for the first time.
- Captain Cummings (americanfirehouse)

25/03/2026

Updated 11:00 am Wednesday 25 March.

The team at MetService New Zealand are watching an incoming front, and have now issued a weather watch and warning for the Nelson Tasman region.

It is now time for you to prepare for incoming heavy rainfall.

It's been a pretty dry couple of weeks, and the ground is hard which means surface water runoff is likely. We are also heading into autumn, so leaves are starting to fall.

We recommend that you clear your gutters, and stormwater grates outside your property, and keep an eye on https://www.metservice.com/warnings/home -south

The heaviest falls will be late Thursday and into early Friday morning.

🟠⚠️ Heavy Rain Warning - Orange
Period: 26hrs from 10am Thu, 26 Mar - noon Fri, 27 Mar
Area: Tasman west of Motueka
Forecast: Expect 180 to 230 mm of rain. Peak rates of 15 to 25 mm/h expected. Moderate 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.

🟠⚠️ Heavy Rain Warning - Orange
Period: 18hrs from 6pm Thu, 26 Mar - noon Fri, 27 Mar
Area: Richmond and Bryant Ranges
Forecast: Expect 100 to 150 mm of rain. Peak rates of 15 to 20 mm/h expected. Low 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.

🟡Heavy Rain Watch
Period: 24hrs from noon Thu, 26 Mar - noon Fri, 27 Mar
Area: Areas of the Tasman District south of Nelson City and north of Saint Arnaud not under a Warning
Forecast: Periods of heavy rain, and amounts may approach warning criteria. Moderate chance of upgrading to a Warning.

24/03/2026

We understand people in our communities are concerned about the impact of the Middle East conflict on fuel, and it may be tempting to store extra fuel on your property. Fire and Emergency does not recommend this.

Fuel is a highly flammable substance, and storing large quantities of it comes with serious fire danger.

A fire involving fuel spreads rapidly and releases a lot of heat. Even a small spill can cause a devastating fire that will spread incredibly quickly.

Find further information on the storage of your existing fuel: www.epa.govt.nz/everyday-environment/petrol/

16/03/2026

We are now in a PROHIBITED Fire season.
No fires allowed. Fire permits have all been suspended.