Manawatu Volunteer Fire Brigade

15/12/2025

14/12/2025

❗️10.15pm update❗️
Here is the latest from the fireground:
• The fire is still active and has spread into standing pines. Several fires are burning within the perimeter and the total area affected is estimated at over 100 hectares.
• Helicopters have been stood down and will resume in the morning. Ground operations are continuing and planning for tomorrow’s operations is underway.
• No homes in the area have been evacuated.

❗️8.55pm update❗️
A little more detail:
• The fire size is now estimated at about 80 hectares
• Traffic management is in place to allow forestry and roading contractors’ machinery to be relocated.
• Firefighters are still working on the ground supported by helicopters.

❗️8.30pm update❗️
Here is the latest from the fireground:
• The fire is estimated at 2-3km wide and is burning a mixture of pine trees and other vegetation across several gullies.
• There are nine fire trucks and tankers plus a command unit and operational support vehicles. Four helicopters are conducting air attack.
• Firefighters at the scene are from Whanganui, Manawatu and Marton.
As at 8.30pm there is no information from NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi to suggest that SH4 is affected.

❗️7.15pm Parakino fire❗️
We are responding to a large vegetation fire reported in the vicinity of a forestry block alongside SH4 near Parikino in the Whanganui District.

Fourteen crews of firefighters and four helicopters with monsoon buckets are on their way to the site.

If you’re driving in the area, please make way for emergency vehicles, as a large number of fire trucks are heading to the site.

At this stage there is no indication that structures are at risk.

We'll update this post when we have more information about the fire and any impact on the community.
Whanganui District Council Whanganui Volunteer Fire Brigade Marton Volunteer Fire Brigade Kohi & Ngamotu Rural Fire Brigades Manawatu Volunteer Fire Brigade

06/12/2025

04/12/2025

Every year on International Volunteer Day, we take the time to celebrate and reflect on the vital service our volunteers provide in keeping our communities safe across Aotearoa New Zealand.

To our crew of more than 11,800 volunteers we want to acknowledge what you give up to do this. Dinners are cut short; work is left for others to pick up and sometimes precious moments are missed.

Thank you for the countless hours you give, the sacrifices you make, and the care you bring to every response. Our communities are safer, stronger, and more resilient because of you.

Join us in thanking our volunteers for their dedication, and their whānau and employers, who support them to respond.

14/11/2025

29/10/2025

28/06/2025

🚨 WIN with Fire and Emergency🚨

These school holidays, Palmerston North Fire Brigade are teaming up with More FM to run a fun and life-saving FIRE SAFETY COMPETITION 🔥📸

How to enter:

Draw or review your three step escape plan with your whānau.
Head to your safe meeting place (like the letterbox or a big tree out front).
Snap a photo of your whānau there with their escape plan.
Upload your photo into the comments section of their post to be in to WIN!
🎁 Awesome LEGO prizes up for grabs – and the best prize of all? Knowing your family is ready in case of a fire!

Let’s make fire safety part of your holiday fun. Get planning, get snapping, and stay safe, whānau! 🙌

If you need an Escape Plan template or a Safe Meeting Place sticker pop into the Fire Station at 50 Cook Street Palmerston North.

🚨 WIN with Fire and Emergency🚨

These school holidays, we’re teaming up with More FM to run a fun and life-saving FIRE SAFETY COMPETITION 🔥📸

How to enter:

Draw or review your three step escape plan with your whānau.
Head to your safe meeting place (like the letterbox or a big tree out front).
Snap a photo of your whānau there with their escape plan.
Upload your photo into the comments section of this post to be in to WIN!
🎁 Awesome LEGO prizes up for grabs – and the best prize of all? Knowing your family is ready in case of a fire!

Let’s make fire safety part of your holiday fun. Get planning, get snapping, and stay safe, whānau! 🙌

If you need an Escape Plan template or a Safe Meeting Place sticker pop into the Fire Station at 50 Cook Street Palmerston North.