Fire season officially commences as weather heats up

Media Release from NSW Minister for Emergency Service


MEDIA RELEASE | 1 October 2023

With hot weather predicted across NSW for the week ahead, fire agencies have signalled the start of the fire danger period across most of the state with a call to households to prepare.

Today marks the official start of the 2023-24 bushfire season in areas including Greater Sydney, the Central Coast, the Illawarra and the Central West. This follows weeks of unseasonably warm weather that has kept NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) firefighters on high alert.

The RFS has responded to more than 2,000 bush and grass fires across NSW in September alone, as firefighters prepare for what is predicted to be a warm and windy summer.

Due to the conditions today nine total fire bans are in force across NSW with further bans likely this week.

The statutory Bush Fire Danger Period (BDFP) begins for most local government areas (LGAs) today. Thirty-eight LGAs have already been in this danger period for at least a month, including 11 that entered it earlier than usual due to warm and dry conditions.

Firefighting personnel and volunteers across the state continue to train for fire and emergency response, but communities are reminded that they have a role to play in bushfire preparedness as well.

Residents are urged to undertake simple measures such as downloading the Hazards Near Me NSW app, checking the RFS websitelaunch, having a plan in place if a fire approaches (even if it is knowing whether to stay or leave early), and carrying out the following around your home:

  • Trim overhanging trees and shrubs.

  • Mow grass and remove the cuttings. Have a cleared area around your home.

  • Remove material that can burn around your home, such as door mats, wood piles and mulch.

  • Clear and remove all the debris and leaves from the gutters surrounding your home.   

  • Prepare a sturdy hose or hoses that will reach all around your home.

As a result of the prolonged wet weather across NSW, around 25 per cent of planned hazard reduction work was completed up to July this year. While more work is needed, the RFS and other agencies have made progress in hazard reduction treating more than 40,000 hectares since the beginning of July.

The onset of hot, windy and dry conditions is expected to affect further hazard reduction as the window to undertake burns begins to close.

To assist in preparation the NSW Government has invested $9 million in a Chinook helicopter, the first of its kind to be permanently based in Australia. With the capacity to carry up to 10,000 litres of water or retardant this summer, the Chinook will increase the RFS’s aerial firefighting capabilities and will lessen our reliance on aircraft borrowed from overseas.

The statutory BFDP commences on 1 October 2023 and runs through to 31 March 2024. Nine LGAs will commence BFDP on 1 November and these include Albury, Berrigan, Coolamon, Greater Hume, Junee, Lockhart, Wagga Wagga and Snowy Valleys.

Bush Fire Survival Planslaunch and information on preparing your property and family are available on the RFS websitelaunch.

Sara Johnston