Bushfires

We work closely with the Department of Education, the Rural Fire Service and relevant Government Emergency Management Services to monitor, and provide support and advice to all Dioceses regarding bushfire and grassfire risks near schools.

NSW Bushfire Danger Period

The statutory Bushfire Danger Period runs from 1 October until 31 March each year. The NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) may extend this in Local Government Area’s (LGA) depending on conditions.

Australian Warning System – Bushfires

View the NSW RFS Fire Danger Ratings map

Alert levels

Learn about the alert levels system at the RFS website.

There are three alert levels: Advice (Stay up to date. A fire has started but no immediate danger), Watch and Act (There is a heightened level of threat. You need to start taking action now to protect you and your family) and Emergency Warning (This is the highest level of Bushfire Alert. You may be in danger and need to take action immediately. Any delay puts your life at risk).

Levels include:

  • Incident registered (White) – an incident has been reported and is currently under investigation. No Action required.
  • Advice (Yellow) – an incident started. There is no immediate danger. Stay up to date in case the situation changes.
  • Watch and Act (Orange) – there is a heightened level of threat. Conditions are changing and you need to start acting now to protect yourself and your school community. 
  • Emergency Warning (Red) – the highest level of alert. You may be in danger and need to act immediately. Any delay now puts your life at risk.