Pukaki Downs Fire IAP 0700 1800 1.09.20 Redacted.pdf

Incident Name:
Operational Period:
Pukaki Downs Fire
0700 – 1800 1/09/20
Incident Action Plan
The items below are included in the incident Action Plan

Situation Report .................................................................................................................................... 1
Incident Objectives & Strategies ........................................................................................................... 3
Organisation List ................................................................................................................................... 4
Sector Assignments ............................................................................................................................... 8
Air Operations Plan ............................................................................................................................. 13
Communications Plan ......................................................................................................................... 15
Safety Plan .......................................................................................................................................... 16
Medical Plan ........................................................................................................................................ 18
Public Information Plan ....................................................................................................................... 19
Welfare Plan ........................................................................................................................................ 20
Wildfire/Emergency Contingency Plan ............................................................................................... 21
Appendix A: Fire/Sector Map .............................................................................................................. 22
Appendix B: Weather/Fire Behaviour Forecast .................................................................................. 23
Appendix C: Restricted Airspace ......................................................................................................... 25
under the Official Information Act 1982
Released
Approved by Incident
Control er:
Signed:
Date/Time:
Rob Hands
31/8/20

1.  Incident Name:
2.  Operational Period:

Pukaki Downs Fire
0700-1800 1/09/20

Situation Report
RF201

3. Location
4. Incident Type
5. NZ Topo50 Grid Ref/Address

Approx. point of ignition:
SH80, Pukaki
Vegetation Fire -
E 1365102
Forest/Scrub/Grass/Slash
N 5107856
6. Assessment
Started 1125 in the vicinity of the confluence of the Gladstone and Twizel Rivers along Baikie Hut Track.
1982
Driven by strong Norwest winds through tussock and extensive area of wilding trees. Patchy areas within fire
zone remaining unburnt.
Act
A wide range of fuel types within the existing fire perimeter have been consumed.
There are 8 significant residential properties, with multiple structures, affected on the East side of SH80. One
house has been lost, along with a barn and four smal  outbuildings. Currently carrying out property
protection on the remaining properties, to be continued by nightshift. Air resources working on perimeter
of fire and supporting property protection.
Pukaki Scientific Reserve has been extensively damaged.
The fire perimeter as at 1900 31/08/20 is approximately 31km and total area of inciden
Information t ground is 2,951ha.
7. Action taken
-  Aircraft – 2 fixed wing, 20 helicopters
-  Heavy machinery working: five 20ton diggers, two dozers creating fire break.
-  Crew patrolled overnight 30/8/20-31/8/20 and worked on structure protection.
Official
-  Multiple ground crews operating on structure protection and the northern section.
-  Command Unit onsite from Timaru. Will be unmanned overnight.
-  Set up welfare with the affected residents
the  to reassure them we are doing everything possible to look
after their properties.
-  Affected property owners meeting held 1100 31/8/20 with further meetings as required. Managed and
supervised property access was undertaken 31/08/20 to inspect damage and provide reassurance.
Action Plan and safety briefing has been prepared for property access purposes.
under
-  Two road escorts out of Aoraki Mt Cook and Glentanner 30/8/20: Approx 140ppl (60 cars) in first and 23
cars in the second. 31/8/20: Approx 40ppl (19 cars) departing 0930 and 140 ppl (46 cars) departing after
1000. A convoy of 4 cars travelled to Aoraki Mt Cook village (workers).
-  Overnight crews working throughout the night for property protection.
-  Three tankers are available to support overnight crews.
-  Occupants of affected properties remain evacuated.
-  Crews and IMT sourced for daytime operations Tuesday 1 September.
Released
-  Working to establishment control to a width of 10m around the entire perimeter of the fire.
-  Contact made and continuing with stakeholders, landowners, Iwi, Police, LINZ, MPI, MSD DOC, NEMA,
Meridian and Netcon. LINZ has taken the lead on liaising with Meridian on the operating easement and
the broadband network provider.
-  Contacted neighbour to the north,
who has 50 cattle in the vicinity
of the Bravo sector. She has made provision to al ow the stock to move further from the fire site.
-  Coastguard are on site to provide support on the lake front around the areas where helicopters are
dipping.
-  A fire investigator, John Foley, has been appointed and will be arriving today.
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1.  Incident Name:
2.  Operational Period:

Pukaki Downs Fire
0700-1800 1/09/20
8. Factors
-  Extreme fire behaviour expected until arrival of rain around midnight, with a SW change due by
0300hrs.
-  Power Grid Control Gate 18 is of concern to Meridian. This has the potential to have a significant effect
on supply of power to whole of South Island. Liaison with Meridian has identified that immediate risk is
negligible but the site is being monitored and a retardant line has been laid to provide additional
protection.
-  Powerlines along SH80 are severely damaged. Lines crews have assessed them and are looking at
repair options.
-  Topography – uneven ground and steep in places.
1982
-  Limited access to some properties.
-  SH80 – link to Aoraki Mt Cook will remain closed overnight, SH8 reopened before 0900 31/08/20.
-  Prime assets – lavender farm, commercial properties and structures.
Act
-  Livestock on affected lifestyle blocks. Feed being brought in. Liaising with land owners over animal
welfare issues.
-  Have engaged with iwi through the FENZ iwi liaison officer.
-  Significant areas within fire area remain unburnt.
9. Predicted Incident Development

-  Potential for active fire until forecast rain commences at midnight.

Information
Risks:
•  Access limitations due to weather.
•  Persistent burning in dense wilding conifers.
•  Tree hazards due to overhead burning and root destabilisation.
Official

Prepared by:

Date: 31/8/2020
Time: 2000
the
Approved by Planning Manager:  Signed:
Date/Time:

31/8/2020

under
Released
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1.  Incident Name:
2.  Operational Period:

Pukaki Downs Fire
0700-1800 1/09/20

Incident Objectives & Strategies
RF202

3. Incident Objectives/Aim/Mission       (SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time bound)

1.  Protect life and property at all times.

2.  Protect structures, the power grid Control Gate 18 and environmental assets throughout the
operational period.

1982
3.  Contain the fire around 75% of the perimeter by 1800hrs 1/09/20.

Act
4. Strategy/Strategies: (Plan of Action to meet Incident Objective)

1           Establish and execute safety plan for all operations.

2a.        Validate 30m security around structures and accessways using IR.

Information
2b.        Where 30m containment not achieved, undertake blackout operations with ground crews and
provide confirmation of achievement to the ICP.

3.       Validate and strengthen the control line to a width of 10m with ground crews supported by
aviation and heavy machinery resources where necessary, prioritising:
Official
a)  Northern boundary from the confluence of the Gladstone and Twizel Rivers through to
SH80;
the
b)  Southern boundary of Alpha and Zulu sectors.

under
Prepared by:

Date: 31/8/20
Time:  1920

Released
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1.  Incident Name:
2.  Operational Period:

Pukaki Downs Fire
0700-1800 1/09/20

Organisation List
RF203


3. Incident Control
Cell Phone
Radio Ch
Incident Controller  Rob Hands

Deputy IC

1982
Safety Advisor

Safety Officer (structure)

Act
Liaison Officer

4. Agency Representative
Cell Phone
Radio Ch
Lead Agency  FENZ – Rob Hands

Information
Agency  DOC –

Agency  MDC –

Official
5. Planning Section
Cell Phone
Radio Ch
the
Planning Manager:

Plans Unit

Situation Unit

under
Resource Unit

Management Support Unit

Advance Planning Unit

Released

Communications Planning Unit

GIS Unit

Observer(s)

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1.  Incident Name:
2.  Operational Period:

Pukaki Downs Fire
0700-1800 1/09/20

6. Logistics Section
Cell Phone
Radio Ch
Logistics Manager

Supply Unit

Catering Unit

Facilities Unit

Finance Unit

1982
Communications Support Unit
Act
Medical Unit

Ground Support Unit

7. Public Information Section
Cell Phone
Radio Ch
Public Information Manager

Information

8. Operations Section
Cell Phone
Radio Ch
Official
Operations Manager

Deputy Operations Manager

the
Sector Alpha Supervisor

Sector Bravo Supervisor

under
Sector Yankee Supervisor

Sector Zulu Supervisor

Heavy Machinery Supervisor

Deputy Supervisor H
Released  eavy

Machinery
Air Division Commander
VHF FIRE 4
Air Attack Supervisor
VHF FIRE 4
Air Attack Supervisor
VHF FIRE 4
Air Support Supervisor
VHF FIRE 4

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1.  Incident Name:
2.  Operational Period:

Pukaki Downs Fire
0700-1800 1/09/20

9. Crew                                            Crew name                       Crew members                   Resource
Crew 1
Omarama

Crew 2
Aorangi (Retardant)

Crew 3
Twizel VFB

Crew 4
Twizel Rural

1982
Crew 5
DOC Dunedin

Act
Crew 6
DOC Wanaka

Information
Crew 7
Johnson Forestry

Official
the
Crew 8
Mayfield

under
Crew 9
Ashburton Rural

Crew 10
Albury

Crew 11
DOC Twizel

Released

Crew 12
DOC Geraldine
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1.  Incident Name:
2.  Operational Period:

Pukaki Downs Fire
0700-1800 1/09/20

Crew 13
Aoraki Mt Cook

Crew 14
Lauriston

1982
Crew 15
Clandeboye

Act
Crew 16
Alford Forest

Crew 17
Peel Forest

Information
Crew 18
Burkes Pass

Official
Crew 19
Cannington
the
Heavy Machinery Crew 1
3

Heavy Machinery Crew 2
2

Heavy Machinery Crew 3
3

under

Coastguard
Mackenzie Lakes Coastguard

  Released

Prepared by:

Date: 31/08/20
Time:  2000

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1.  Incident Name:
2.  Operational Period:

Pukaki Downs Fire
0700-1800 1/09/20

Sector Assignment
RF204

3. Sector
4. Description
5. Division Assigned
Alpha
Ground crews

6. Sector Supervisor
Affiliation
Cellphone
Radio Ch

VHF Fire1
7. Resources Assigned to this Period:
1982
#
Transport
Drop-off
Pickup
Act
Resource/Crew
Leader
Persons  Required
Point/Time  Point/Time
Omarama

2

Aorangi

5

Twizel VFB

1

Twizel Rural

3

Information
DOC Dunedin

5

DOC Wanaka

5

Johnson Forestry

9

Official

Total crew numbers
  the
30

8. Sector Assignment / Special Instructions
-  Monitoring and patrol.
under
-  Secure the perimeter.
-  Validate and strengthen the control line to a width of 10m with ground crews supported by aviation and
heavy machinery resources where necessary, prioritising the southern boundary of sector.

9. Sector Communications                                                                               Phone
Radio Ch
Released
   Operations Manager

Air Attack Supervisor

VHF FIRE 4
Safety Advisor

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1.  Incident Name:
2.  Operational Period:

Pukaki Downs Fire
0700-1800 1/09/20

Sector Assignment
RF204

3. Sector
4. Description
5. Division Assigned
Bravo
Ground crews

6. Sector Supervisor
Affiliation
Cellphone
Radio Ch

VHF FIRE 2
7. Resources Assigned to this Period:
1982
#
Transport
Drop-off
Pickup
Act
Resource/Crew
Leader
Persons  Required
Point/Time  Point/Time
Mayfield

2

Ashburton Rural

4

Area Spare Tanker

Information

Total crew numbers

6

Official

8. Sector Assignment / Special Instruction
the s
-  Work with aviation / heavy machinery to establish and strengthen containment.
-  Identify a contingency containment line.
-  Validate and strengthen the control line to a width of 10m with ground crews supported by aviation and
under
heavy machinery resources where necessary, prioritising the northern boundary from the confluence of
the Gladstone and Twizel Rivers through to SH80.

9. Sector Communications                                                                               Phone
Radio Ch
   Operations Manager

Released
Air Attack Supervisor

VHF FIRE 4
Safety Advisor

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1.  Incident Name:
2.  Operational Period:

Pukaki Downs Fire
0700-1800 1/09/20

Sector Assignment
RF204

3. Sector
4. Description
5. Division Assigned
Yankie
Ground crews

6. Sector Supervisor
Affiliation
Cellphone
Radio Ch

DOC 15
7. Resources Assigned to this Period:
1982
#
Transport
Drop-off
Pickup
Act
Resource/Crew
Leader
Persons  Required
Point/Time  Point/Time
Albury

2

DOC Twizel

5

DOC Geraldine

7

Aoraki Mt Cook

6

Information

Total crew numbers

20

Official

8. Sector Assignment / Special Instructions
the
-  Work with aviation / heavy machinery to strengthen the existing firebreak.
-  Establish a contingency firebreak with heavy machinery.
9. Sector Communications                                                                               Phone
Radio Ch
under
   Operations Manager

Air Attack Supervisor

VHF FIRE 4
Safety Advisor

  Released
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1.  Incident Name:
2.  Operational Period:

Pukaki Downs Fire
0700-1800 1/09/20

Sector Assignment
RF204

3. Sector
4. Description
5. Division Assigned
Zulu
Ground crews

6. Sector Supervisor
Affiliation
Cellphone
Radio Ch

VHF FIRE 3
7. Resources Assigned to this Period:
1982
#
Transport
Drop-off
Pickup
Act
Resource/Crew
Leader
Persons  Required
Point/Time  Point/Time
Lauriston

4

Clandeboye

5

Alford Forest

3

Peel Forest

5

Burkes Pass

2

Information
Cannington

4

Total crew numbers

23

Official

8. Sector Assignment / Special Instructions
the
-  Structure protection.
-  Work with aviation / heavy machinery to strengthen the existing firebreaks.
-  Consider additional firebreak requirements.
-  Validate and strengthen the control line to a width of 10m with ground crews supported by aviation and
under
heavy machinery resources where necessary, prioritising the southern boundary of sector.

9. Sector Communications                                                                               Phone
Radio Ch
   Operations Manager

Air Attack Supervisor

VHF FIRE 4
Released
Safety Advisor

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1.  Incident Name:
2.  Operational Period:

Pukaki Downs Fire
0700-1800 1/09/20

Sector Assignment
RF204

3. Sector
4. Description
5. Division Assigned
Heavy Machinery
Heavy machinery to support ground

resources
6. Sector Supervisor
Affiliation
Cellphone
Radio Ch

1982
7. Resources Assigned to this Period:
#
Transport
Drop-off
Act Pickup
Resource/Crew
Leader
Persons  Required
Point/Time  Point/Time

3

2

3

Information
2 dozers (
)

Total crew numbers

21

Official

8. Sector Assignment / Special Instructions
the
-  Supervise heavy machinery operations across the entire fire ground. Work with Operations Manager and
Sector Supervisors to manage heavy machinery requests.

under
9. Sector Communications                                                                               Phone
Radio Ch
   Operations Manager

Safety Advisor

  Released

Prepared by:

Date: 31/8/20
Time: 2000
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1.  Incident Name:
2.  Operational Period:

Pukaki Downs Fire
0700-1800 1/09/20

Air Operations Plan
RF208
3. Personnel and Communications

Radio
Position
Name
Affiliation  Phone
Chan
Air Div Commander

FENZ
VHF FIRE 4
Air Attack Supervisor

FENZ
VHF FIRE 4
Air Support Supervisor

FENZ
VHF FIRE 4
1982
Air Attack Supervisor

FENZ
VHF FIRE 4
Act
Lead Helicopter Pilot

CSI
VHF FIRE 4
Lead Helicopter Pilot

Heliventures
VHF FIRE 4
Lead Helicopter Pilot

Sthn Lakes
VHF FIRE 4
Lead Fixed-Wing Pilot

Otago Air S
VHF FIRE
4
4. Air Resource Assignments

Information
Aircraft
Reg or
Tactical
Telephone
Pilot Name / Company  Type
Call Sign  Assignment  Freq/Chan
Numbers

B2
IDM
Bucketing

Official (Bx)
The Heli Line

B3
IRM
Bx

Sthn Lakes
the

MD 520N
IES

Heliventures

BA
HGO

Central Sth Is
under

B2
HMD
Bx

Sthn Lakes

BK117
IBK
Bx

Sth Lakes

B3
IBR
Bx

Sthn Lakes

BA
HDB
Bx

Released
Central Sth Is

B3
HGR
Bx

Aspiring Heli

B3
HEN
Bx

Heliventures

B2
HAH
Bx

Aspiring Heli

B2
IER
Bx

Heliventures
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1.  Incident Name:
2.  Operational Period:

Pukaki Downs Fire
0700-1800 1/09/20

B2
HSM
Bx

The Heli Line

Super D
HRQ
AAS platform

The Heli Line

BA
HJP
AAS platform

Sthn Lakes

Long Ranger
IGT
Bx

South Cant

UH-1
HUE
Bx

Sthn Heli Lift

MD 520N
HFJ
Bx
1982

Rangitikei

Cresco
OAS
FW Bomber

Otago Air Spr
Act

Air Tractor
SKF
FW Bomber

Sky Farmers

5. Location of Fil ing Points/Service Areas
Name
Grid Reference
Quarry – Pukaki Downs
E 1368035 N 5105173
Information
Twizel River
E 1364554 N 5108343

6. Safety Notes / Hazards / Radio Coverage Limitations
-  Powerline infrastructure – briefings and CRM
Official
-  A ten metre high tower associated with a RAWS: 1366277.790E 5106630.360N
-  Smoke – regular situational awareness and communication
-  Windy conditions – briefing, regular weat
the her monitoring
7. Air Operations Special Equip or Service
-
under
8. Tasking
-  Bucketing – direct suppression, Reconnaissance, Thermal scan, PRU Positioning, Property Protection
-  Prepare for retardant operations, heavy machinery and ground crew protection

Prepared by:

Date: 31/08/20
Time:  1645
Released
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1.  Incident Name:
2.  Operational Period:

Pukaki Downs Fire
0700-1800 1/09/20

Communications Plan
RF205

3. Radio Channels
Assigned To
Function
Channel
Frequency
System
Sector A

VHF FIRE 1
143.8250

1982
Sector B

VHF FIRE 2
143.7875

Act
Sector Y

DOC 15
140.5500

Sector Z

VHF FIRE 3
140.925

Command Repeater
VHF
143.2500/
ESB 180
REPEATER 1
140.2500

Information
4. Telephone
Assigned To
Email

Ext
Cel phone
Official

the

6. Other (e.g. email, Satphone, etc)

under

Prepared by:
Date:
Time:
Released
15 | P a g e

1.  Incident Name:
2.  Operational Period:

Pukaki Downs Fire
0700-1800 1/09/20

Safety Plan
RF209

3. General Safety Points
•  CHECK IN/OUT: Everyone is to be signed in and out of the fire ground through the Forward Control
Point (FENZ Command Unit)
•  To undertake a communications check before entering the fire ground
•  Familiarisation with LACES
•  Report hazards/near misses/accidents on Salmon Cards (Urban crews on Safe @ Work Event Report
1982
Card)
•  Report any health/medical issues immediately in line with the medical plan
Act
•  Maintain regular situation reports (containing all relevant information) via line supervisors
LACES
Fire Orders
Watchouts
L – Lookout(s)
1.  Conditions and forecasts
1.  Fire size is unknown (no size up).
2.  Know what your fire is doing at al  times.
2.  Unfamiliar territory
A – Awareness
3.  Safety zones and escape routes not
3.  Base al  actions on current and expected
identified.
  – Anchor Point(s)
fire behaviour of the fire.
4.  Unfamiliar with weather and local
4.  Identify escape routes and safety zones
factors influencing fire behaviour.
Information
C – Communication(s)
and make them known.
5.  No communications link with crew
E
members or supervisor.
– Escape Route(s)
5.

Post lookouts when there is possible
danger.
6.  Instructions and assignments not clear.
S – Safety Zone(s)
6.  Stay alert. Keep calm, Think clearly, act
7.  Weather is getting hotter , drier and
decisively.
relative humidity dropping
8.  Wind increases and/or changes
Official
7.  Maintain prompt communication with
direction.
your crew/s, your supervisor and adjoining
crews.
9.  Getting frequent spot fires across the
line
the
8.  Give clear instructions and ensure they are  10.  Working uphil  or downwind of a fire
understood.
11.  Working on a steep slope
9.  Maintain control of your crew/s at all
12.  Working in rugged terrain
times.
13.  Can’t see main fire
under
10.  Fight fire aggressively having provided for
14.  In unburnt vegetation
safety first.
15.  Walking through hot ashes
16.  Working alone
17.  Getting tired
18.  Working near power lines
19.  Working near machinery
20.  Working with aircraft
21.  Working around trees or spars
Released

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1.  Incident Name:
2.  Operational Period:

Pukaki Downs Fire
0700-1800 1/09/20

4. Specific Safety Points
-  Extreme fire behaviour with winds gusting to 115km/h, starting N, turning NW.
-  A ten metre high tower associated with a RAWS: 1366277.790E 5106630.360N (Alpha Sector).

Control measures
1.  Extreme fire
•  Monitor weather conditions, withdraw from tree areas in high wind. Sector
conditions
supervisors to report weather conditions through to ICP.
2.  Smoke
•  Try to avoid working in smoke unless absolutely necessary.
1982
3.  Dangerous
•  Avoid areas of dangerous/unstable trees. Identify and report to ICP for
trees
attention of tree felling crews.
Act
4.  Topography
•  Uneven ground and variable topography. Ensure care is taken.
5.  Escape
•  Confirm escape routes and safety zones and review regularly.
routes and
safety zones
6.  COVID-19
•  Report il ness (do not turn out), complete contact tracing. Employ safety
Alert Level 2
measures (hygiene practices and physical distancing), maintaining crew
cohorts. Clean vehicles at start of shift with disinfectant.
Information
7.  Road Safety
•  Travel with lights on when moving on SH80.
8.  Hypothermia  •  Be prepared for working in cold, windy conditions.
Official
9.  Driving
•  Following a rain or snow event, check whether the road/track is accessible.
conditions
the
10. Working
•  Coastguard boats are operating on Lake Pukaki. Available on VHF FIRE 4 for
over water
rescue.

under
Released

Prepared by:

Date: 31/08/20
Time: 1145
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1.  Incident Name:
2.  Operational Period:

Pukaki Downs Fire
0700-1800 1/09/20

Medical Plan
RF206

3. First Aid Station
Phone/Radio  Paramedics available at
Name
Location
Chanel
First Aid Station
FCP
Lavender Farm, SH80
None
Twizel Medical Centre
15 Mackenzie Drive,
03-435 0777
1982

Twizel

Act
4. Transportation
Phone/Radio  Paramedics available
Ambulance Service
Address
Chanel
with Ambulance
Twizel Ambulance
Mackenzie Drive
111
EMT only
Aoraki Mt Cook Ambulance

111
First Response only
Information
5. Hospitals
Travel Time  Burn  Heli
Hospital Name
Address
Phone
Road  Air
Unit  Pad
Official
Timaru Hospital
Queen Street, Timaru  036872100
2hrs
40m
No
Yes

the

6. Special Emergency Procedures

under
-  Any significant event, call 111 and ensure the IC, Operations Manager and Deputy are informed.

-  Minor injuries – notify sector supervisor. First aid kits in vehicles.

-  Defibrillator on command unit at FCP.

-  All injuries, including minor, to be recorded on Salmon Cards. Urban crews to record in Safe at Work.
Released

8. Reviewed by Safety Advisor:

Date/Time:  1145

Prepared by:

Date: 31/08/20
Time: 1030
18 | P a g e

1.  Incident Name:
2.  Operational Period:

Pukaki Downs Fire
0700-1800 1/09/20

Public Information Plan
RF

3. Personnel and Communications
Radio
Position
Name
Affiliation
Phone
Chan
Public Information
Manager

MDC

1982
Information and
Warnings Unit

Act
Media Unit

Community Liaison Unit

MDC

4. Public Meetings
Contact
Information
Meeting purpose
Location
Time
person
Phone
Public Q&A
Twizel Events Centre
T.B.C
Chris Clarke

Official

5. Public Information Sources
the
Websites
www.mackenzie.govt.nz
Social Media
BE ADVISED:  Given the high profile of these burns, ensure that any photos
or posts must be respectful of both any personnel visible and the
under
organisations
Radio
n/a
Helpline
n/a
Information Points
n/a
6. Key Public Messages
Released
-  Please avoid the area to allow fire crews to focus on their work.
-  Keeping doors and windows closed wil  help minimise the effects of smoke.
-  No current or expected threat to Twizel or Aoraki Mt Cook vil age.
NOTE:

Prepared by:

Date: 31/08/20
Time: 1430
19 | P a g e

1.  Incident Name:
2.  Operational Period:

Pukaki Downs Fire
0700-1800 1/09/20

Welfare Plan

Actions Taken:
-  Facilitated convoys out of Aoraki Mt Cook and Glentanner 30/08/20 and 31/08/20.
-  1100hrs 31/08/20: meeting with impacted property owners with IC Fire, Planning and
Community Liaison.
-  1330hrs 31/08/20: conducted escorted trips into impacted properties with owners to allow
1982
them to inspect damage and recover important items.
-  1800hrs 31/08/20: one-page fact sheet distributed to stakeholders within Aoraki Mt Cook
Act
Village and Glentanner Holiday Park.
-  Confirmation that all animals (companion and production) are accounted for and safe, and
evacuated as neccessary.

Actions Planned:
-  0930hrs 1/09/20: impacted property owners meeting with Minister
Information  of Civil Defence,
Hon. Peeni Henare.
-  Facilitate re-entry of properties providing fire and ground conditions are safe.
-  Continue to work with impacted property owners to create recovery plans for each
property.
Official
-  Continue to engage with Aoraki Mt Cook Village and Glentanner Holiday Park.
the
-  Facilitate introductions between support agencies and impacted property owners: MPI,
MSD, South Canterbury Rural Support Trust.

under
Contingency / Additional Factors:
-  Engage with the community of Twizel to thank them for the support offered to Fire and
Emergency NZ and contractors and continue to offer reassurance to residents.
-  Monitor the requirement for additional evacuations and the psycho-social impacts of the
wider community.
Released

Prepared by:

Date: 31/08/20
Time: 1730
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1.  Incident Name:
2.  Operational Period:

Pukaki Downs Fire
0700-1800 1/09/20

Wildfire/Emergency Contingency Plan

In the event of a new ignition or other significant emergency in either the Mid/South Canterbury
or neighbouring Districts that may require additional resourcing beyond initial turnout (PDA):

1.  IMT Incident Control er, Planning Manager and other senior personnel are advised that there
is an active incident response underway.

1982
2.  Planning section is to gather situation information on the event. Initial response wil  be from
PDA turnout via FireCom and local management may determine that additional resourcing
outside normal station turnout is not required.
Act

3.  For a significant emergency, such as wildfire or earthquake, advise all operational staff as
those with family, friends and assets located in the affected area will most likely want to
contact home (NB: this is more relevant for a significant natural disaster such as earthquake,
or a rapidly developing fire likely to require evacuations).

4.  Consider any possible need to release operational staff where their base locations are in the
Information
area immediately affected by the emergency event.

5.  Identify likely response requirements from the Pukaki Downs Fire resources if initial attack
capability is likely to be exceeded for the new emergency. Resources should be released to
support response to the new incident where this tasking does not compromise safety and
Official
response of the Pukaki Downs Fire.

the

under
Released

Prepared by:

Date: 31/08/20
Time: 1430

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1982
Act
Information
Official
the
under
Released

1.  Incident Name:
2.  Operational Period:

Pukaki Downs Fire
0700-1800 1/09/20

Appendix B: Weather/Fire Behaviour Forecast

Weather/Fire Behaviour Forecast

Fire Behaviour Supplement

PREDICTION for day 1/9/2020
Fire Name:
Pukaki Downs
Prediction For:  0600 - 1800
1982
Area:
Twizel
Time & Date Update Issued:    1900hrs 31th August 2020
Act
Prepared by:

Parameters:
–  The Pukaki Aero RAWS used for start-up values and observed values.
–  Grass curing input @85%
–  The three fuel types of Forest, Grass and Scrub assume Fire Danger Class standard fuel properties.
–  Wilding Pine likely to respond more as scrub fuel.

Information
Weather Summary:
Situation: A strong northwest flow affected the South Island ahead of the cold front that arrived
overnight.

Official
Tues morning (after 2 am): North to northwest wind eased rapidly after 2 am and turned southerly 20
to 30 km/h around 3 to 4am, and will die out during morning. Rain got steadier after 2 am and was
expected to turn to snow from around dawn. T
the  otal rainfall likely to be in the 15 to 20 mm range, and
including 5 to 10 cm of snow during Tues morning. Note temps reduce and RH increases early morning
hours.

under
Tues pm/evening: Rain/sleet/snow gets patchy and light during pm hours. Expect an easterly wind 10
to 20 km/h to kick in during pm. Clears at night with frosty conditions developing.

Wed: Dry with light winds. Frosts morning and night.

Weather Parameters:
Released
Temperature      -0.2° rising to 3.4°.
RH                     100% lowering to 70%.
Wind speed/direction.  Southerly up to 20kph changing through the east back to the west 13kph in
the afternoon. Southerly winds gust at 36kph dropping to 15kph east through
west.
Rain/snow             10.1 mm rain that may fall as snow (10cm snow).

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1.  Incident Name:
2.  Operational Period:

Pukaki Downs Fire
0700-1800 1/09/20

Fire Behaviour General:

Following the rain and shift to southerly conditions fire behaviour has dropped.  Spreading fire will be
unlikely, however areas of deep seated or smouldering heavier fuels and windrows will continue to
burn. In some shallow swales and small valleys the surface loose organic has not fully burnt and will
continue to smoulder.

There are many areas of either partially or unburnt fuel within the fire area that will burn given the
chance. There are many hung up trees sitting on partial y burnt limbs waiting to fall. In places the
burnt limbs are partial y consumed, brittle and wil  break, dropping the trees.
1982

Scrub Fuel (includes wilding pine). Fuel load est 30 – 40 t/ha. Smouldering little to no spread.
Act

Grass Fuel.  Fuel load est 7t/ha at 85% curing. Smouldering little to no spread.

Standard Forest. Fuel load est 20t/ha. Smouldering little to no spread.

Safety Considerations:
Information

1)  Care should be taken when moving through forested areas. The winds may topple trees or
break tree limbs. Ongoing smouldering wil  continue to consume tree roots and limbs.
2)  A watch must be kept of the welfare to crews with the onset of wet and very cold conditions
Official
and very low wind chills. Hypothermia is a very real threat
Weather map: 7 pm Mon 31 August
the   (NZDT)
under
Released

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1982
Act
Information
Official
the
under
Released

1.  Incident Name:
2.  Operational Period:

Pukaki Downs Fire
0700-1800 1/09/20

1982
Act
Information
Official
the
under
Released

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