West Coast - Fire and Emergency

13/04/2026

Watch this 👀👇 what do you think caused this fire?

It's a real example of how lithium-ion batteries can turn bad.
🔋➡️🔥

Our tips for Li-Ion battery fire safety:
✅ Purchase batteries & devices only from reliable sources.
✅ Install smoke alarms wherever you charge batteries.
✅ Use the right charger for the device.
✅ Unplug or turn off once charged to 100%.
✅ Ensure the battery can cool down while charging (a hard, flat surface is best).
✅ Dispose responsibly of any batteries that are old or damaged.

Comment below on what you think this device was 🤔

Fire and Emergency New Zealand is warning about the dangers of lithium-ion batteries after video from a Canterbury home showed how quickly a battery failure can spark a serious fire.

04/04/2026

⏰ Daylight Savings reminder ⏰
This is your 6-monthly reminder to test and vacuum your smoke alarms.
You're welcome 🙃

31/03/2026

Being a fire fighter is just as much about understanding water 💦 as it is understanding fire 🔥
Go Waimangaroa Volunteer Fire Brigade 💙

25/03/2026

PLEASE: don't light any new fires in the next 24 hours! 🙏🚫🔥

💨🔥The strong winds ahead of this week's rain will increase the fire risk, much higher than what we're used to on the West Coast - especially in the Grey Valley and inland Buller areas.

🤔 Even if your burn pile or drum fire is mostly out, there's a good chance that embers can blow into flammable materials nearby.

💥👀 We're asking you to check your current burn piles and drum fires to make sure they are out, and to avoid lighting any new fires until the fire risk has dropped.

👉 For up to date advice on which days are best to burn, use our fire planning tool at www.checkitsalright.nz

24/03/2026

🤔 Are you stockpiling fuel? 😖

We understand West Coasters are concerned about the impact of the Middle East conflict on fuel, and it may be tempting to store extra fuel on your property.

⚠️ We do 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/

03/03/2026

17/02/2026

农历新年快乐 🐎
Happy Chinese New Year! 🐎

农历新年快乐 🐎

如果您使用蜡烛，灯笼或者烟花庆祝节日，请务必遵循我们的安全建议！

🏮请不要在有风或者干燥的环境下点燃灯笼和烟花。您可以在以下网址查看当地的火灾危险等级：www.checkitsalright.nz
🏮请将灯笼和蜡烛远离可易燃物品。
🏮请勿将灯笼和蜡烛置于无人看管的状态。
🏮请将火柴和打火机放置在儿童无法触及的地方。

火灾及紧急事件组织祝您春节平安，快乐！
---
Happy Chinese New Year! 🐎

If you're celebrating with candles, lanterns, or fireworks, be sure to follow our safety advice!

🏮Don't light lanterns or fireworks in windy or dry conditions. You can check the local fire danger level at www.checkitsalright.nz.
🏮Keep lanterns and candles away from anything that might catch fire.
🏮Never leave lanterns and candles unattended.
🏮Keep matches and lighters out of reach of children.

Fire and Emergency wish you all a safe and happy Chinese New Year!

09/02/2026

05/02/2026

Kia ora on a beaut Waitangi Day on the West Coast!

Firefighters and cadets from Rūnanga, Greymouth and Hokitika are helping with the hāngi at Dixon Park, Māwhera/Greymouth today. Come down for some fun and a feed!

03/02/2026

Are you planning a burn?

Head to www.checkitsalright.nz to check the fire danger and get some tips on how to keep your
🔥 fire 🙌
from becoming a
🚨 ‼️FIRE‼️🚒

The whole West Coast (except for public conservation land) is in an open fire season, so you don't need a fire permit.

But, if your burn is 👀 visible to motorists or neighbours, we'd appreciate a heads-up, just in case a concerned person calls us about it:
💻 Visit www.firepermit.nz
👉 Choose the option "Lighting a Fire in an Open Season?"
🪪 Fill in your details.

Stay safe and reduce the risk of fire over summer. Find out what you need to do before you light a fire outdoors and whether you need a fire permit.

28/01/2026

The Westport insurance discussion has hit the national news.

We're concerned that reduced insurance options in Westport could leave more homes under‑insured.

This can make recovering from a house fire much harder and may increase risks for residents.

You can stay safer by:
🔸 Installing and maintaining smoke alarms
🔸 Having a practiced escape plan
🔸 Calling 111 early if you discover a fire
🔸 Keeping up with routine home maintenance
🔸 Protecting important documents and avoiding insurance lapses

We’re here to help keep our community safe - send us a message or drop a comment below.

Westport Volunteer Fire Brigade
Resilient Westport
Buller District Council

The decision will be the first of many as the full force of climate change arrives, a researcher says.

19/01/2026

Over a dozen fire fighters from a mixture of brigades as far away as Charleston and Inangahua met at the Greymouth fire station last weekend to refresh their skills in fighting wildfire. 🌳🔥🌲

These fire fighters are now ready to deploy anywhere in the country to assist with long-duration events.

There were a range of skills covered, including:
🚒 Fire truck familiarisation
💦 Operation of various pumps
🌏 Our mobile Fire Mapper app
❓ What to expect when on deployment
👥 And perhaps most important of all, this was an opportunity to meet other firefighters who may be working on a fireground.

🤞 Luckily large-scale bush, scrub or grass fires aren't a common problem here on the West Coast, but during summer we do see parts of our region dry out to a point where the fire risk ⚠️ is concerning. If you're planning to light an outdoor fire, make sure to visit 👉 www.checkitsalright.nz to check the fire season and get some customised safety tips.