Sydney bushfire season 2026 preparation guide, including high-risk suburbs, alert systems, emergency plans, and how to protect your property and
Lifestyle Desk is a contributing writer covering weather and public affairs for The Sydney Times.
Bushfire season in NSW runs from October to March, with the highest risk period being from December to February. The season is defined by hot, dry, and windy conditions that create ideal conditions for bushfires. The NSW Rural Fire Service issues bushfire danger ratings every day during the bushfire season. The ratings range from low-moderate to catastrophic. A catastrophic danger rating means that fires can spread rapidly and are uncontrollable. On days with a catastrophic rating, the advice is to leave early.
The Sydney metropolitan area is surrounded by bushland, and many suburbs are at risk from bushfires. The highest-risk suburbs are those that are adjacent to national parks, state forests, or large areas of bushland. The highest-risk suburbs in Sydney include:
Northern Beaches. The northern beaches, including Palm Beach, Avalon, and Bayview, are surrounded by the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park and the Garigal National Park. The area has a history of destructive bushfires, including the 1994 Palm Beach fire and the 2018 Tallebudgera fire. The area is accessible by a single road in some locations, which can make evacuation difficult during a bushfire.
Blue Mountains. The Blue Mountains suburbs, including Springwood, Winmalee, and Yellow Rock, are surrounded by the Blue Mountains National Park. The area has a history of destructive bushfires, including the 2013 bushfires that destroyed more than 200 homes. The area is accessible by the Great Western Highway, which can be closed during a bushfire.
Southern Highlands. The Southern Highlands suburbs, including Bowral, Mittagong, and Moss Vale, are surrounded by bushland. The area has a history of bushfires, including the 2019-2020 bushfires that affected parts of the region. The area is accessible by the Hume Highway, which can be closed during a bushfire.
Hawkesbury. The Hawkesbury area, including Richmond, Windsor, and Pitt Town, is surrounded by bushland. The area has a history of bushfires, including the 2013 bushfires that affected parts of the region. The area is accessible by the Hawkesbury River Road, which can be closed during a bushfire.
South-West Sydney. The south-west Sydney suburbs, including Appin, Weddin, and Silverdale, are surrounded by bushland. The area has a history of bushfires, including the 2013 bushfires that affected parts of the region. The area is accessible by the Appin Road, which can be closed during a bushfire.
The NSW Rural Fire Service recommends that property owners in bushfire-prone areas prepare their properties before the bushfire season. The preparation includes:
Maintain a defendable space. Clear vegetation and flammable materials from around your house. Maintain a defendable space of at least 30 metres around your house. Remove leaves, twigs, and other flammable materials from your roof, gutters, and downpipes. Trim trees and shrubs so that they are at least two metres away from your house.
Install ember protection. Embers are the main cause of house losses during bushfires. Install ember protection on your roof, including ember guards on vents and windows. Seal gaps around doors and windows with weather stripping or fire-resistant sealant. Install metal fly screens on windows and doors.
Maintain your water supply. Ensure that you have an independent water supply, such as a tank or a swimming pool, that can be used for firefighting. Install a pump and hoses that can reach all parts of your property. Ensure that your water supply is accessible to fire trucks.
Prepare a bushfire survival plan. A bushfire survival plan should include your trigger for leaving, your destination, your route, and your backup plan. The plan should also include a list of items to take with you, such as important documents, medications, and photographs. The plan should be discussed with all members of your household.
The NSW Rural Fire Service provides several alert systems to keep the community informed about bushfire danger:
Fires Near Me App. The Fires Near Me app is a free app that provides real-time information about bushfires in your area. The app shows the location of fires, the size of fires, and the level of alert. The app also provides push notifications when a fire starts in your area. The app is available for iPhone and Android.
NSW RFS Website. The NSW RFS website publishes daily bushfire danger ratings and incident summaries. The website also provides information about bushfire survival planning and property preparation.
Emergency Alert. Emergency Alert is a national alert system that sends text messages and voice messages to mobile phones and landlines in areas affected by an emergency. The system is used by the NSW RFS to warn residents of bushfires and other emergencies.
Local Radio. Local radio stations, including ABC Local Radio and commercial radio stations, provide regular updates during bushfire emergencies. Tune to your local radio station for the latest information.
On a day with a high fire danger rating, you should prepare your property and your family for the possibility of a bushfire. The following actions are recommended:
Check the fire danger rating. Check the fire danger rating every morning during the bushfire season. The rating is published on the NSW RFS website and app, on local radio, and in newspapers.
Prepare your property. If the fire danger rating is high or extreme, prepare your property by clearing vegetation, filling gutters with water, and moving flammable materials away from the house.
Pack your emergency kit. Pack an emergency kit with important documents, medications, photographs, and essential items. The kit should be easy to carry and should be stored in an accessible location.
Decide whether to stay or go. If the fire danger rating is catastrophic, the advice is to leave early. If the fire danger rating is high or extreme, you should decide whether to stay and defend your property or to leave. If you decide to stay, you should be physically and mentally prepared to defend your property.
Leave early if you need to. If you decide to leave, leave early, before the fire arrives. Do not wait until the last minute to leave, as roads can be closed by fire or smoke. Leave early in the morning or late in the evening, when the fire danger is lower.
Home insurance is essential for properties in bushfire-prone areas. Standard home insurance policies typically cover damage from bushfires, but you should check your policy to ensure that you have adequate coverage. You should also consider the following:
Building insurance. Ensure that your building insurance covers the full replacement cost of your home. The replacement cost is the cost of rebuilding your home to its current standard, including demolition, debris removal, and council fees.
Contents insurance. Ensure that your contents insurance covers the full replacement cost of your possessions. Take photos or videos of your possessions and keep them in a safe place, such as a cloud storage service.
Renters insurance. If you rent your home, you should take out renters insurance to cover your possessions. Renters insurance is typically inexpensive and provides peace of mind.
More information about bushfire preparation is available at the NSW Rural Fire Service website.
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