With about 140 firefighters in town, Omarama could be one of the safest places to be next March.
The town, which in 1971 started the annual Wajax competition for Otago and Southland rural firefighters, is the venue for next year's event, for the third time in the event's 40-year history.
Omarama rural fire officer Lex Perriam said yesterday the first competition had four teams - Omarama, Stewart Island, Glenorchy and Lake Hawea.
Next year's event is expected to have up to 28 teams, made up of four firefighters and usually one reserve.
It is the biggest and longest-running volunteer firefighting competition in New Zealand.
Along with supporters and family, up to 300 people are expected for the event, which is being staged at the Country Time Hotel and surrounding land area.
The competition is named after the Wajax portable pump, one of a rural firefighter's main pieces of equipment when the competition started. While still used now, the pump "backpack", which was carried in to fires, has been superseded by fire chasers and 4WD vehicles.
The event starts on March 16.
