Bush Fire

Living with the bush is part of living in New South Wales – but so is living with the risk of fire. A bush or grass fire can happen at any time of the year but the risk is higher during the warmer months, when bush, grass, or scrub is drier.  

Be prepared for bush fires by making sure your family has a general understanding about bush fires and bush fire safety so they know what to do in the event of an emergency.

The lead combat agency for bush fire in NSW is the Rural Fire Service.

Develop your bush fire survival plan:

Even if your plan is to leave early, the more you prepare your home, the more likely it will survive a bush fire or ember attack. A well-prepared home can make it easier for you or firefighters to defend, is less likely to put your neighbours' homes at risk and will also give you more protection if a fire threatens suddenly and you cannot leave.

Keep yourself informed on days of increased fire danger. Pay attention to your local radio and TV stations and monitor your Hazards Near Me app, the NSW RFS website and social media pages on hot, dry, windy days. This will help you plan your day and make sure you avoid areas where there is an increased risk of a bush fire.

 

Preparing your family for Bush Fires

Planning and talking to your family, including children, can help them cope and feel safe should you or your home be under threat. Join your local Get Ready Team to improve how you and your community prepares for and recovers from disasters.

Hazard Reduction Burns

Fire authorities such as Fire and Rescue NSW and NSW Rural Fire Service conduct hazard reduction burns on Council owned and managed land when required and once all environmental factors have been considered and addressed.

Neighbourhood Safer Places

Neighbourhood Safer Places are a place of last resort during a bush fire emergency.

Fire Trails

A fire trail is rural road only used for fire fighters to access areas of dense bushland so they are to establish containment lines and conduct controlled burning.

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