Bushfires

Hot, windy, dry weather and the possibility of deliberately lit fires make bushfire management a priority for Council. 

What to do if there is a bushfire

Lachlan Shire Council has a high level of commitment to supporting bushfire and emergency management within the Shire and maintains a close working relationship with emergency services including the Rural Fire Service (RFS), Fire & Rescue NSW, NSW Police, NSW Ambulance and the State Emergency Service (SES). 

It is important to note that Council is not responsible for controlling the response to any type of emergency. Please call triple zero (000) for urgent assistance if:

• someone is seriously injured or in need of urgent medical help;
  
• your life or property being threatened; and/or
  
• you have just witnessed a serious accident or crime. 
  

For non-urgent assistance:

• Contact the SES on 132 500 if your property has been damaged as a result of storm or flash flooding; and
  
• Contact the RFS Bush Fire Information Line on 1800 679 737 for updates on bush fire activity or advice on completing your bush fire survival plan 
  

While Council is not an emergency response agency. It is involved in planning and preparation work to minimise threats to the community from a range of incidents. 

Fire Bans and Current Fire Danger

Total fire bans are declared on days of extreme fire danger caused by a combination of weather conditions and dry vegetation.

Please visit the NSW Rural Fire Service website www.rfs.nsw.gov.au for current details of fire bans and fire dangers.

Reducing Bushfire Hazards

Hazard reduction is about minimising the damage a bushfire could cause by reducing or removing fuel sources before it starts. It also involves creating space for people to work in the event of a fire. This can be done through hand-clearing (such as raking leaves, clearing out gutters) or mechanical clearing (mowing, slashing) and burning. You can carry out certain types of hazard reduction yourself. Read more about hazard reduction.

Emergency Management

Council plays an important role in supporting responses to emergency events, including the provision of specialist plant (e.g. water tankers), equipment and personnel to the agency coordinating the emergency response. Council also supports the Emergency Operations Centre if a coordinated multi-agency response to an emergency is required. 

Lachlan Shire Council also facilitates and supports the Local Emergency Management Committee, which is comprised of representatives of each emergency service and other supporting agencies that operate within the local government area. One of the key responsibilities of this committee is to produce a Local Emergency Management Plan, which details arrangements to coordinate emergency response and recovery operations during major emergency events.