Vegetation Fires 2026

The story so far

A large vegetation fire broke out in an Albert Town reserve near Wānaka on a Saturday evening, with crews from several towns responding and police carrying out evacuations as strong winds drove the blaze.^{22 Aug} The fire forced 22 households to evacuate and was later contained, and Fire and Emergency NZ is treating it as suspicious.^{23, 26 Aug} In early October, a large vegetation fire on Walter Peak on the southern shores of Lake Wakatipu grew overnight and was not contained before operations were suspended on Tuesday night.^{6 Oct} That fire burned about 1400ha across Walter Peak and Cecil Peak stations before it was fully contained and the fireground was handed back to the landowners.^{6 Oct} In late October, a fire sparked by live fire training in the Waiouru Military Area burnt about 230 hectares, then grew to more than 3,700 hectares, sending smoke across the Desert Road and prompting a Health New Zealand warning for Napier and Hastings.^{26 Oct}

Latest

Firefighters at the Waiouru fire were hampered by wind and rain, with more than 90 personnel from Fire and Emergency, the Defence Force and the Department of Conservation working to secure the perimeter.^{28 Oct} Containment lines were strengthened as weather improved, and Fire and Emergency NZ is preparing to hand over control of the blaze.^{1 Nov}

What's next

Fire and Emergency NZ is preparing to hand control of the Waiouru fire over.^{1 Nov}

Key moments

1. 22 AugLarge fire in Albert Town near Wānaka prompts police evacuations.
2. 23 AugAlbert Town fire forces 22 households out, then is contained.
3. 26 AugFire and Emergency NZ treats Albert Town fire as suspicious and seeks witnesses.
4. 6 OctWalter Peak and Cecil Peak fire fully contained after burning about 1400ha.
5. 6 OctWalter Peak fire on Lake Wakatipu shores grows overnight and is not contained.
6. 26 OctLive fire training sparks Waiouru fire, which burns about 230 hectares.
7. 1 NovContainment lines strengthened at Waiouru as officials prepare to hand over control.

Written from the stories below; each sentence links to its sources.