A transmitter at Wilson Bay will message pagers in Bob's Cove, Closeburn Station, Wilson Bay and Moke Rd. It could also be used at the Skyline complex.
The $7000 installation cost was met by rural fire authorities, which will be responsible for maintenance and routine testing.
To receive messages, red zone residents will need a pager, costing about $260. A $195 amplifier is optional.
Doc rural fire officer Jamie Cowan said the initiative was developed to save lives and property and had the support of the New Zealand Fire Service.
Mr Cowan said the new scheme was practical and new to New Zealand, using technology to respond to the risk of wildfires. Fire services could take up to 20 minutes to respond to a report of a fire which could move quickly.
Following the Closeburn fire in 2005, when 30 homes were evacuated, a community-based, multiagency response system was established, residential fire wardens triggered a "phone tree" warning system. However, the process was criticised as slow and unreliable.
Mr Cowan said pagers were not reliant on electricity, were independent of telephone landlines and messages reached every pager in the same instant.
Affected communities will receive letters and information.
