Firefighters are unable to deploy monsoon buckets carried by helicopters while people are nearby and it is understood some residents searching for pets and gathering possessions delayed emergency services fighting the blaze that tore through 100ha of scrub and forestry at Saddle Hill earlier this month.
Several streets were evacuated and while some residents took their time to leave, others refused, opting to stay to try to fight the fire and protect their properties themselves.
Otago Rural Fire Authority principal rural fire officer Dr Stephanie Rotarangi said she had not been made aware of issues over the evacuations, but emphasised the need to follow instructions from emergency services.
''It's not safe for us to fight fires with members of the public running around,'' she said.
''It's not safe to drop in excess of a tonne of water on people, not only because the water itself weighs a lot, but also it can lift roofing iron and affect other debris.''
Most Saddle Hill residents ''followed the instructions of emergency services very well'', she said.
Southern district police youth and community services manager Senior Sergeant Liz Waru said police were aware of reports of people delaying firefighting efforts by not evacuating immediately when asked.
While police sympathised with those who might be concerned about their pets or property, their presence hampered emergency services' ability to save their homes, she said.
''If people are in situations where there are fires and they are being asked to evacuate by police, they need to follow those instructions,'' she said.
Dr Rotarangi also urged residents to formulate an evacuation plan to be prepared for any future fire.
''I would like all Dunedin residents to think about an escape plan,'' she said.
''It's about getting out and staying out.
''As a family and as a household, you need to discuss what routes you will take and where you will meet up.''
