Managing the risk of wildfire

When fire indices reach unsafe levels and conditions are assessed to be extreme, reserves will be closed to ensure public safety and reduce the potential for a fire to happen.

In 2018, QLDC set out to understand the threat that wildfires pose to, or from Council administered land. A draft report was prepared, then updated in 2022. The report reviewed 12 public reserves across the district and outlined many recommended interventions across four categories, including: signage and education programmes, creation of fire breaks, legislative changes and early warning systems.

Due to the threat of wildfire outlined in the report, QLDC is implementing reserve closures in the high-risk areas of Ben Lomond, Queenstown Hill and Mount Iron Reserves.

QLDC has developed guidelines to manage activities and events within these reserves during high-risk periods.  These include controls to reduce the risk of wildfire ignitions from activities and events that may cause sparks or generate heat.

Activities such as smoking, fireworks, chainsaw use, grass mowing when the grass or scrub is dry, cutting, grinding and actions where metal may strike metal or stone have a history of starting fires.

The guidelines set out criteria for assessing wildfire risk and details of trigger points for potential closure of reserves during extreme conditions.

The identified trigger points are based on the FENZ fire weather indices and codes.  They consider:

• the Build Up Index (BUI) which is a measure of how much fuel is dried out and available to burn, and;
• the Fire Weather Index (FWI) which is a measure of fire intensity that indicates how damaging a fire may be and how hard it will be to control.

The guidance is outlined in the QLDC Wildfire Reserve Closure Plan and the QLDC Activity Controls to Manage Wildfire Risk Within Reserves - see documents in 'Guidelines and protocols' section above.

If you need assistance using these documents, please contact services@qldc.govt.nz 

When a reserve closes, QLDC will:

• Communicate directly with relevant leaseholders
• Put up onsite signage
• Share the message with local news outlets via a media release
• Send a ‘community txt alert’ to those who have subscribed.  If you are not subscribed to receive community text alerts, you can sign up here
• Update this webpage and publish an alert on the Council homepage
• Share on social media channels

When a reserve reopens we will: 

• Communicate directly with relevant leaseholders
• Update onsite signage
• Send a ‘community txt alert’ to those who have subscribed.  If you are not subscribed to receive community text alerts, you can sign up here
• Update this webpage and publish an alert on the Council homepage
• Share on social media channels

A reserve and all trails will remain closed until fire indices reduce to safer levels. This will depend on weather patterns.

There is no access allowed. Mountain biking trails within the Ben Lomond Reserve will be closed.

Skyline will close their Mountain Bike uplift service.  Please see the Skyline website for more details Fire Risk Closure Warning - Skyline Queenstown

When the reserve is closed, access to Mount Iron Reserve is limited to the easily accessible trails around the base of the reserve only (see 'Reserve closures' section above for map of Mount Iron Reserve for trails that are open and those that are closed). There is no access to the top of Mount Iron when the reserve is closed.

There is no access to Queenstown Hill Reserve and its trails during a closure.

When the reserve is closed, access is limited to the small area of the reserve at One Mile and the town link from Fernhill to Thompson Street (see 'Reserve closures' section above for a map of the reserve area to be closed when fire indices reach unsafe levels).

When the reserve is closed, the areas and trails shown in the red area on the reserve closure map cannot be accessed by walkers or bikers due to the heightened wildfire risk.

Yes, this link will remain open during a closure this summer as users can easily exit the reserve in this location. Please refer 'Reserve closures' section above for a map showing the reserve area to be closed when fire indices reach unsafe levels. There is no access to the top of Ben Lomond through the reserve.

Due to the extreme wildfire risk in the Ben Lomond Reserve, Skyline Enterprises, Ziptrek Ecotours, Bungy and G-Force Paragliding have a comprehensive Wildfire Management Plan in place. 

Fire and Emergency NZ support and endorse the plan as an effective and sustainable way to mitigate wildfire risk in the commercial area. The plan means Skyline will operate at a reduced capacity as a safety precaution when the reserve is closed.

Please see the Skyline website for more details Fire Risk Closure Warning - Skyline Queenstown

Skyline Enterprises, Ziptrek, Bungy and G-Force have a comprehensive wildfire risk management plan that includes:

·       Monitoring wildfire risk levels daily

·       Implementing restrictions on activities and access as needed

·       Educating staff and guests about wildfire safety

·       Working closely with emergency services

Please see the Skyline website for more details Fire Risk Closure Warning - Skyline Queenstown

Entering the reserve while it is closed is at your own risk.  QLDC will take all reasonable steps to communicate the closure to the community and users. 

Reserves will not be locked but there will be signage in place at key entrance points. Gates may be installed at entrances to closed areas in the future.

Go to https://www.checkitsalright.nz/ 

Call 111 immediately.

Fire and Emergency NZ will respond to a fire on the reserve.  QLDC and Otago Civil Defense and Emergency Management will provide support where required. 

There is a total fire ban in the three reserves, If you see smoke or fire please call 111 immediately.