Bushfire information

Preparing for bushfires

If you live in or close to bushland, grassland or farmland, a bushfire may threaten your home.

Preparation will give you and your family the best possible chance of surviving a bushfire and reduce the effects on your property.

The NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) recommends making a Bushfire Survival Plan so you know what you'll do if there’s a fire near you.

For detailed steps on how to make your plan, visit Get ready for disasters.

New South Wales fire information

The RFS provides up-to-date information on:

fire incidents
bushfire danger ratings
total fire bans
which areas are bushfire prone, including a mapping tool to locate your property
how to report a fire hazard on your property or a property near you.

Hazards Near Me app

Hazards Near Me is the official mobile phone app of the RFS and SES, providing information and warnings about bushfires and floods across New South Wales.

The app is available at the App Store or Google Play.

Neighbourhood Safer Places

A Neighbourhood Safer Place is a building or space in the community that can provide a higher level of protection from the immediate life-threatening effects of a bush fire.

Neighbourhood Safer Places can’t be considered completely safe; there is still some risk in moving to them and sheltering in them. They are a last resort in emergencies only.

Remember:

When you are travelling to your Neighbourhood Safer Place, there may be heavy smoke and poor visibility.
Water, toilets and food may not be available at the Neighbourhood Safer Place and emergency service personnel may not be present.
The conditions at the Neighbourhood Safer Place may be uncomfortable and you may be affected by heat, smoke and embers.
Neighbourhood Safer Places are not intended for pets or livestock.

Neighbourhood Safer Places in Kempsey Shire
Name	Type	Location
Kempsey Showground	Open space	Sea Street, West Kempsey
Crescent Head Country Club	Building	Rankine Street, Crescent Head
Willawarrin Sports Ground	Open space	Armidale Road, Willawarrin
South West Rocks Country Club	Building	2 Sportsmans Way, South West Rocks
Hat Head Bowling and Recreation Club	Building	Reserve Road, Hat Head
Gladstone Oval	Open space	Barnard Street, Gladstone
Joe Donovan Sporting Complex	Open Space	Banksia Street, Stuarts Point

For the latest list of Neighbourhood Safer Places near you, visit the RFS website.

AIDER program

The AIDER (Assist Infirm, Disabled and Elderly Residents) program is a free, one-off service aimed at reducing bush fire hazards on people’s properties.

AIDER is designed for aged residents and residents with disabling conditions who:

live on bushfire-prone land, and
have limited domestic support available from family, relatives, friends or other services.

You can apply for AIDER online or by phoning 02 8741 4955.