NSW Rural Fire Service Macarthur

A Total Fire Ban will be in place tomorrow, Saturday 9 December for the Greater Sydney, Lower Central West Plains, Southern Slopes, Northern Riverina and Central Ranges areas. Very hot, dry and windy conditions are forecast across parts of the state, increasing the fire danger. Know your fire risk and what you will do if fire threatens.
Be ready to act. Report all unattended fires to Triple Zero (000).For more information on Total Fire Ban rules, visit the website: www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/fdr

Brace yourself summer is here. ☀️☀️☀️

From tomorrow and for the remainder of the week most of NSW will experience a heat wave. Temps in the high 30 and low to mid 40s are forecast.

This will increase the fire danger particularly later in the week.

Stay informed.
Know your risk and plan ahead.
Stay hydrated and check with friends and family.

Headlights on in wet conditions

Headlights on cars serve two purposes – they give you improved visibility in dark but they also make your car more visible to other road users.

While using headlights at night is second nature to most drivers, it can be more confusing as to when to use your headlights during daylight hours, particularly in wet weather.

You should use your headlights when it's raining, this will dramatically increase how visible you are to other road users from the front and behind.

Dark colored vehicles, even light grey and red cars are very hard to see on wet roads especially with water spray and heavy rain.

These pictures show how hard some cars are to see

👩‍🚒🚒 Rainy weather vs Narellan brigade☔️⛈️

Weather permitting Narellan RFS will be in Camden this afternoon/evening for the Camden Council Christmas festival.

Please come past and say hello. We will be showing kids through the truck and handing out kids packs (while they last).

We will also be selling raffle tickets to raise funds for our brigade.

We look forward to seeing you.

🔥 👩‍🚒 🧯🧑🏻‍🚒 🚒 Girls on Fire 🔥 👩‍🚒 🧯🧑🏻‍🚒 🚒

This week, Gledswood Rural Fire Brigade took part in the “Girls on Fire” movement.
A fabulous initiative empowering our young female leaders of the future.

They were joined by Fire and Rescue NSW Station 092 St Andrews and NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service to present an amazing day which was filled with empowerment and resilience.

Speak to your school today to get involved.
https://girlsonfire.com.au/

The draft Bush Fire Risk Management Plan (BFRMP) for Macarthur is now on exhibition until 5pm Monday 4th December 2023. You can view the plan at your local Council Office, Macarthur Fire Control Centre or online.

https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/plan-and-prepare/managing-bush-fire-risk/bush-fire-management-committees/macarthur

The draft plan has been developed by Macarthur Bush Fire Management Committee (BFMC).This plan looks at local bush fire risk factors in Camden, Campbelltown and Liverpool Local Government Areas and sets a treatment plan to mitigate bush fire risk in your community over the next 5 years.

Now is your opportunity to provide feedback on the draft plan.

Campbelltown City Council, NSW
Camden Council
Liverpool City Council Australia

Residents can now access live disaster updates and emergency alerts through the Emergency Help Hub dashboard on Council’s website.

https://helphub.campbelltown.nsw.gov.au/

The online resource provides live data from emergency service providers including NSW Rural Fire Service, NSW State Emergency Service and the Bureau of Meteorology to ensure residents receive real-time updates during emergency situations.

“Our Resilience Hazard Assessment outlined the importance of creating an accessible and central source of information that residents can access during an emergency,” said Mayor George Greiss.

“Emergency Help Hub can help residents prepare before an emergency and reach out to services that can assist with recovery,” said Dr Greiss.

Residents will be able to choose their preferred language, view the latest alerts and connect with local community and emergency services through the dashboard.

Dashboard We honour and respect our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Traditional Custodians, Elders and communities and the spirit that binds us in our dreams and aspirations on Dharawal country.

Bushfire | Simmos Beach, Macquarie Fields

Firefighters spent much of last night at Simmos Beach extinguishing yet another suspicious bushfire.

Brigades from Campbelltown, Camden and Liverpool assisted at Macquarie Fields until the early hours of this morning.

There have been a number of fires lit in the area over the past month, thankfully these fires haven’t damaged property however they are causing damage to bushland and disrupting local wildlife.

Please report suspicious activity to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Photos by Gledswood Rural Fire Brigade 🔥

Total Fire Ban | Today | Thursday 12 OCT

A Total Fire Ban has been declared today for Extreme Fire Danger in Greater Sydney.

Stay up to date with the Fires Near Me app and set up a watch zone for your areas of interest.

If you live close to bushland, have you checked your property to ensure it’s free of bushfire hazards?

Visit: www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/plan-and-prepare/prepare-your-property

Fire Danger | Pile Burning & Recreation Fires

On days like tomorrow, where there is an increased fire danger;
what was a pile burn or recreation fire a few days ago, or even a few weeks ago;
could come alive unexpectedly

The NSWRFS respond to many fires that were started by a hot coal that has been sttting at the bottom of a fire pile from days before.

If you have something like this, it is worth checking the ashes for any signs of heat.

Dig through with a shovel, add some water and monitor to ensure it’s completely out.

Don’t let last weeks pile burn become this weeks bushfire, check your burn pile for heat.

🔥Total Fire Ban,🔸Extreme Fire Danger🔸 | Tuesday 3 Oct 23

A Total Fire Ban will be in place from Midnight tonight ahead to predicted Extreme Fire Danger again tomorrow.

Temps of 36’, low humidity and NNW winds have been forecast for the area tomorrow.

This is the forth Total Fire Ban in the last couple of weeks, a reminder of what we can expect this Fire Season.

Thankfully, we have an up to date Bushfire Survival Plan which we have just reviewed and updated a few details. We have practiced our packing and escape plan and are ready to go if the conditions deteriorate. Ooh, and we didn’t forget the pets either.

Stay up to date with the Fires Near Me smartphone app, set a watch zone for you and one for your parents/kids/farm/holiday home etc.

Report unattended fires to Triple Zero and remember to make smart decisions if traveling.

Severe Fire Danger | Total Fire Ban | 1 Oct 23

Tomorrow, the 1st October 2023 marks the first day of the Bushfire Danger Period in Greater Sydney.

To mark the occasion, the weather will bring Extreme Fire Danger and a Total Fire Ban.

Stay up to date with the Fires Near Me app, create a watch zone in your specific area, create a second watch zone to keep an eye on family and friends, the app will alert you to fires in your watch areas.

You can also stay up to date on the NSWRFS website www.rfs.nsw.gov.au

Connect with your local emergency services 🚓🚒

Start a conversation about your household emergency plan at our Emergency Ready Day event at Koshigaya Park today from 11am to 3pm.

▪️ NSW Police Force
▪️ Fire and Rescue NSW
▪️ NSW SES
▪️ NSW Rural Fire Service
▪️ Australian Red Cross

🟧 EXTREME FIRE DANGER RISK 🟧

Wednesday, 20 September 2023 - Greater Sydney.

The fire danger risk in the Macarthur District today is EXTREME and a Total Fire Ban is once again in force.

During a Total Fire Ban you cannot light, maintain or use a fire in the open, or to carry out any activity in the open that causes, or is likely to cause, a fire.

The NSW RFS strongly recommends you reconsider activities such as such using a tractor or slashing, to help reduce the chance of a fire starting on your property.

Total Fire Ban | Greater Sydney

A Total Fire Ban is in place today across Sydney with High Fire Danger predicted.

Be extra vigilant today and report any unattended fires to Triple Zero.

Anyone undertaking hot works like welding, cutting or grinding, should take extra precautions and have a lookout in place.

Otherwise, have a glorious day ☀️

Firefighters from Cumberland/Macarthur District will be taking advantage of favourable weather conditions on Sunday 17th September 2023 to undertake 2 planned hazard reduction burn in the area below.
The hazard reduction burns will be undertaken as highlighted on the map near Cobbitty Rd & Mater Dei Rd Cobbitty.

The total size of both hazard reduction prescribed burns is approximately 12ha in size.

Nearby residents will see and smell smoke while this important work is being undertaken
If there is a hazard reduction burn planned for your area, take the following steps:

• Keep doors and windows closed to prevent smoke entering homes
• Keep outdoor furniture under cover to prevent ember burns
• Retract pool covers to prevent ember damage
• Remove washing from clotheslines
• Ensure pets have a protected area
• Vehicles must slow down, keep windows up, turn headlights on
• Sightseers must keep away from burns for their own safety
If you have asthma or a lung condition, reduce outdoor activities if smoke levels are high and if shortness of breath or coughing develops, take your reliever medicine or seek medical advice
For health information relating to smoke from bush fires and hazard reduction burning, visit the NSW Health website or Asthma Australia.

Remember, before you report fires to Triple Zero (000), check the Hazards Near Me app to check if the fire has already been reported.
We are preparing for the upcoming fire season, are you? For more information on how you can prepare your family and your home, visit www.rfs.nsw.gov.au

For more information or advice relating to planned hazard reduction burns, please visit https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/fire.../hazard-reductions
NSW RFS Greater Sydney Area Command

Smoke from hazard reduction burns undertaken around Sydney today is expected to start settling across a broad area over the coming hours. This is expected to initially settle in the west before moving across to the eastern suburbs over night.

Similar to today it will start to lift again tomorrow morning as the day warms up and winds increase.

These are critical burns being undertaken protecting people and property ahead of the upcoming fire season.

A number of hazard reduction burns postponed on Friday due to the wet weather will now go ahead tomorrow.

This includes a number of larger burns in the Sutherland and Ku-ring-gai areas.

Smoke from the burns is likely to settle over much of the Sydney Metropolitan Area on Sunday afternoon and Monday morning. Smoke is expected to remain over Sydney and the Central Coast early next week.

Smoke from hazard reduction burning can affect some people more than others.

NSW Health reminds people that children, older adults and people with heart and lung conditions are most susceptible to the effects of air pollution and excessive smoke.

If you have asthma or a lung condition, reduce outdoor activities if smoke levels are high and if shortness of breath or coughing develops, take your reliever medicine or seek medical advice.

Details: https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/fire-information/major-fire-updates/mfu?id=11173

List of planned burns: https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/fire-information/hazard-reductions

Hazard Reduction Notification | Holsworthy:
Friday 8 Sept - Sunday 10 Sept

The NSWRFS are undertaking a Hazard Reduction at the Holsworthy Military Barracks commencing on Friday.

The almost 3000ha Hazard Reduction Controlled Burn will be highly visible from all over a greater Sydney.

Residents should take precautions with the smoke especially those with health issues and anyone with pets to remain inside with doors and windows closed during the operation.

🚒Keep doors and windows closed to prevent smoke entering homes

🚒Keep outdoor furniture under cover to prevent ember burns

🚒Retract pool covers to prevent ember damage

🚒Remove washing from clotheslines

🚒Ensure pets have a protected area

🚒Vehicles must slow down, keep windows up, turn headlights on

🚒Sightseers must keep away from burns for their own safety

❗️If you have asthma or a lung condition, reduce outdoor activities if smoke levels are high and if shortness of breath or coughing develops, take your reliever medicine or seek medical advice

❗️For health information relating to smoke from bush fires and hazard reduction burning, visit the NSW Health website or Asthma Australia.

The Hazard Reduction burn reduces fire fuel loading across the burn area which can moderate future fire behavior, aid in fire suppression efforts work to slow the spread of future fires in the area, in the right weather conditions.

Hazard Reduction | Pleasure Point

RFS crews are in place for the briefing before the commencement of todays Hazard Reduction at Camp Sapper in Pleasure Point.

12 fire appliances, 50 firefighters and 8 incident management team are on site preparing for todays activities.

Local residents are advised to

🔥Stay away from smoke especially anyone with asthma or respiratory issues
🔥Close windows and doors
🔥Bring washing inside
🔥Bring pets inside or move them away from smoke
🔥Remain calm, everything is under control

For more information, visit www.rfs.nsw.gov.au

Hazard Reduction Burn Saturday | Holsworthy

RFS crews will be undertaking a Hazard Reduction burn this Saturday at Camp Sapper in the Pleasure Point area.

Please share this post to help us spread the word.

Bush Fire | Macquarie Fields

Firefighters have spent the evening in Macquarie Fields fighting two separate bushfires tonight.

The first fire was spotted just before 6pm using the Fire Spotting Camera located at Casula. Locating and access to the fire was an issue initially, however local RFS crews have lots of knowledge and experience in this area.

The second fire was called into triple zero just before 11pm. Crews have access the fire and are working to extinguish the blaze.

Crews remain on scene.

Isn’t she a beauty? Today the RFS welcomed the first CH-47 Chinook to its fleet. A heavy helicopter with the ability to carry 11,000 litres of water or retardant, the RFS Chinook is the largest-capacity firefighting helicopter permanently based in Australia.

The Chinook, which will be based out of RAAF Base Richmond, will have the unique capability of night-time aerial firefighting. Weather conditions and fire activity levels are typically more favourable at night – a time when aerial support has been unavailable to firefighters in Australia. The RFS began night-time trials in 2022 and, once fitted with an internal tanking system next year, the Chinook will continue this exciting work.

The RFS now has three fixed-wing aircraft and eight helicopters at its disposal year-round to fight fires across NSW. These Service-owned aircraft fulfil a range of roles, from water-bombing to lead plane duties, aerial scanning, search and rescue and firefighter transport.

We would like to thank Defence Australia and the Royal Australian Air Force for transporting the Chinook all the way from the United States to NSW. Its delivery ahead of the coming bush fire season will enable us to respond faster and better to fires, wherever in the state they occur.

Firefighting, Emergency and partner Agencies all coming together for the pre-season briefing today at Cumberland to discuss coordinated arrangements ahead of the 2023/2024 fire season.

Presentations by Bureau of Meteroligy, RFS Predictive Services, State Operations & Aviation Section, Forests NSW, Fire & Rescue NSW, National Parks & Wildlife, RFS Operational Logistics, Media Services, Project Athena and NSW Police Service.

Over the past week, volunteers from across Macarthur have experienced a spike in incidents, attending to over 30 incidents in the past 7 days.

This has included Building Fires, Bush Fires, Motor Vehicle Accidents, Vehicle Fires to name a few. Crews have also assisted in 2 Hazard Reductions, a Search and Rescue incident and have been called a number of times, to assist our neighboring districts.

This work has been undertaken by a many of our Firefighting Brigades supported by our Bulk Water Team, our Communications Brigade and our Group Officers.

As well as attending Incidents and Hazard Reductions, many of our brigade members have undertaken training and maintenance activities, undertaken brigade administration and much more.

The tireless efforts of our volunteers knows no bounds, some of these crew members have been involved in a number the above incidents & activities throughout the week and weekend.

Well done to all those involved.

Appreciation and acknowledgement to brigade members for posting photos to brigade social media.

🚜Calling All Heavy Plant Operators🚜

The NSW RFS is working to onboard more heavy plant to support firefighting operations in the upcoming season.

If you would like further information check out https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/about-us/doing-business-with-the-rfs/heavy-plant

Want some help, contact your local District or our Area Command office.

Registration of heavy plant contractors - NSW Rural Fire Service The NSW RFS is seeking suitable and experienced plant contractors to register their interest in being engaged for Fire Work and/or being invited to quote on Non-Fire Work.

New Firefighters | Macarthur

Over the weekend, 12 trainees attended A Bush Firefighter assessment hosted at Narellan.

The recruits were put through their paces to demonstrate the knowledge and skills they have learned during their training at their brigades.

All trainees performed well and will now return to their brigades ready to attend incidents and to protect their communities.

Congratulations to all, a job well done!

This could be you 👉 www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/volunteer

If you enjoy working outdoors and want to make a difference to the community, a role in our Mitigation Crews could be for you!

We offer:
✅Full-time ongoing employment

✅Opportunities to work in rural and remote locations across the state with attractive incentives
35 hour working week and generous leave entitlements

✅Paid training on commencement at the NSW RFS Training Academy in Dubbo

✅Ongoing training, learning and development opportunities

✅Attractive annual salary:
Mitigation Crew Member (RFS 1): $60,773 - $65,294 p.a. plus 11% superannuation
Mitigation Crew Leader (RFS 2/3): $68,892 - $74,893 p.a. plus 11% superannuation

✅One ‘Agreed Absence’ leave day per calendar month in recognition of the hours worked and professional commitment to the organisation

To apply 👇

https://iworkfor.nsw.gov.au/job/mitigation-crew-member-crew-leader-opportunities-415587

Grass Fire Austral & Rossmore

Firefighters were busy today with two grass fires burning out of control in high winds.

Shortly before 11am, crews responded to the first fire in Austral, once this fire was contained, crews were dispatched to another grass fire in Rossmore.

Crews from nearby brigades were quickly on scene at both fires, bringing them both under control before with fire could impact houses or spread to adjoining properties.

Fires can quickly escape small piles, fire pits or fire drums in strong winds. Coals and embers from older fire piles can also flare up and ignite nearby grass.

Quick actions from neighbors by reporting these fires to triple zero, prevented them from growing in size by allowing firefighters to get on scene and extinguish.

For fire safety information, visit www.rfs.nsw.gov.au

Whilst we are in the midst of the cooler months, it's important to check the weather before you light up. Strong westerly winds are forecast for Greater Sydney today and fires can be difficult to contain under these conditions. For more information, visit:https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0013/12451/Before-you-light-that-fire-2020.pdf

A number of Hazard Reduction Burns are scheduled to occur in the Macarthur Area in coming days.

Thursday 1 June - Wivenhoe Conservation Estate, Cobbity

Saturday 3rd - Sunday 4th June - Scattergood Park, St. Helens.

Smoke may impact local areas during these burns and may settle overnight. Please monitor conditions and stay away from these areas.

For further information please visit the NSW RFS website: https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/fire-information/hazard-reductions

Shortly after midnight firefighters from Fire and Rescue NSW Station 092 St Andrews Gledswood Rural Fire Brigade NSW RFS - Middleton Brigade & NSW RFS - Narellan Brigade were alerted to a shed fire in Leppington.

Firefighters arrived to find a shipping container on the property with fire smouldering in the contents within.

FIrefighters remain on scene emptying the contents of the container working to completly extinguish the fire.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time.

Home family and work family shattered.

No one deserves not to come home.

Congratulations to Camden West Rural Fire Brigade Captain Steve Urquhart for winning the inaugural First Responder of the Year award in the Rotary Clubs of Macarthur award ceremony.
Captain Steve is an inspiration community leader and well deserving of the award.

Shortly before 3:30 this afternoon firefighters were alerted to a bushfire in the area of Peppin Crescent Airds.

Firefighters from FRNSW & RFS arrived to find multiple small areas of grass & bush alight.

Crews from RFS & Fire & Rescue continue to work on containing & extinguishing the fire this afternoon.

This demonstrates that even though we have reached the end of the bushfire danger period & had some recent rain, grassfires can still occur in our region.

Fire Investigators from the RFS will work to determine the cause of the fire.

Equipment Fire | Catherine Field

Firefighters were called to reports of a house fire in Catherine Field earlier today.

On arrival, crews found a forklift and a skip bin alight on a property with fire spreading to other items nearby.

The forklift operator had been injured by the fire, he was treated by firefighters then handed over to Ambulance crews.

The fire was brought under control by efforts of firefighters from both NSWRFS and FRNSW.
6 fire trucks and 25 firefighters attended the scene.

The injured man was transported to hospital.

Today marks the official start of the bush fire season, with the Bush Fire Danger Period beginning in most NSW Local Government Areas.

If you’re planning on conducting a burn on your property, you’ll require a fire permit from your local Fire Control Centre or brigade. Fire Permits help ensure fire is used safely and minimise the danger to you, your property and the community.

For more information visit our website: https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/fire-information/BFDP

Firefighters from across Macarthur are currently working with Fire and Rescue NSW Macarthur & Wollondilly Region Command MS3 to extinguish a grassfire in Airds. This serves as a timely reminder that the bushfire danger period is just around the corner & despite wet weather it takes just a few days for grass to dry out.

Congratulations to Gledswood Rural Fire Brigade for coming third overall in the state at the NSW RFS State Championships held during the last two days at Bulli.