Fire Safety and Forest Access – New Zealand

Fire Safety and Forest Access

During summer months, access to OneFortyOne forests may be restricted to ensure everyone’s safety. OneFortyOne works closely with Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) to monitor fire risk in our forests through more than 25 weather stations across the Nelson, Tasman, and Marlborough regions.

Check Fire and Emergency New Zealand’s site for fire risk indices in the Nelson Marlborough region, visit: FW: Nelson Marlborough

The table below lists OneFortyOne’s Public Access and Public Access Easements and links to the related Fire Weather Zones:

OneFortyOne Public Access and Public Access Easements (PAEs)	Fire Weather Zone
Northbank Wairau PAEs Storeys Creek Road Briggs Road and Davies Road Kiwi Road via Onamalutu to Wakamarina Saddle Bartletts Creek Road to Wakamarina Saddle Pine Valley Road Top Valley Road to Staircase Stream Jacksons Creek Road Staircase Road	Onamalutu
Northbank Wairau PAEs: Goulter Road Homestead Road	Ngaruru
Whangamoas/Rai/Canvastown/Havelock PAEs: Wilsons Road (Takorika Access)	Rai Valley
Whangamoas/Rai/Canvastown/Havelock PAEs: Hori Bay Road Hippolite Road/Bladebone Road Reserve Road	Hira
Golden Downs PAEs: Wai-iti Road Olivers Road Blue Glen Road Big Bush Road Elvys Road Dart River Road	Western Boundary
St Arnaud PAEs: Jasmine Road Teetotal Road Swales Road	St Arnaud
Great Taste Trail Tunnicliffs – Spooners tunnel – Spooners Bush Rd	Dovedale
Kainui mountain bike park	Dovedale
Storeys Creek mountain bike park	Onamalutu
Ditchling Horse Riding	Lansdowne
Bookers Horse Riding	Onamalutu
Kainui South Horse Riding	Dovedale
Teetotal mountain bike trails	St Arnaud
McLeans Reserve	Dovedale
Norris Gully Reserve	Western Boundary
Clark Valley Reserve	Western Boundary

How We Monitor Fire Risk

Our team works with FENZ to assess conditions daily. Our remote weather stations track:

• Daily temperature
• Relative humidity
• Wind speed and direction
• Daily rainfall

These measurements help FENZ calculate the New Zealand Fire Weather Index, which includes the Build Up Index (BUI). We begin reviewing forest access conditions when:

• The BUI reaches 60 or higher; or
• There is a significant fire event elsewhere in New Zealand that could limit local firefighting resources

Forest Closures

We may need to close the forests when:

• Fire risk becomes high
• During severe weather events
• When advised by fire safety experts

Fire Prevention and Safety

To protect our forests and ensure everyone’s safety:

• Fires within our forests are strictly prohibited
• Smoking is not permitted anywhere in the forest

Staying Informed

Before planning your visit, please check our website for current access conditions. Conditions can change quickly, especially during summer months.

Check here for current public access status: Public Access – New Zealand – One Forty One