Travelling in a bush fire area

If you're travelling during the bush fire season, you could be affected by a fire. Bush and grass fires often cross roads and highways. Smoke can reduce visibility and roads may also be closed without warning. It can take just a few days of hot, dry and windy weather for fire conditions to return.

Know the bush fire risk of the area you are visiting and understand the bush fire risk levels. There are a few simple ways to ensure you have all the information you will need to keep you and your family safe.

Start by knowing the fire danger rating for the area in which you are travelling. Look out for roadside signs and check the NSW RFS website regularly.

Bush Fire Safety for Travellers

Bush Fire Safety for Campers and Bushwalkers

Stay up to date

There are simple steps you can take to ensure you stay informed:

• Download the Fires Near Me smartphone app
• Save the Bush Fire Information Line (1800 679 737) on your phone
• Save links to the NSW RFS website and social media pages; Facebook and Twitter
• Do not rely on just one source of information, as your phone may not work in a remote area

Before you go

• Check weather conditions on the Bureau of Meteorology website
• Check the Fire Danger Ratings and Total Fire Bans for both the area you are travelling through and your destination
• Set up a Watch Zone on the Fires Near Me app
• Download the Emergency+ app. The app uses GPS functionality built into smart phones to help a Triple Zero (000) caller provide critical location details required to mobilise emergency services
• Ensure an emergency survival kit is packed, including a working battery-operated radio, protective clothing, woollen blankets and water
• Get to know the Bush Fire Alert levels. For fact sheets translated into a range of different languages, click on the links below:
  • Arabic
  • French
  • German
  • Greek
  • Hindi
  • Italian
  • Korean
  • Simplified Chinese
  • Traditional Chinese
  • Spanish
  • Tagalog
  • Vietnamese

On the road

• Grass fires can start easily, are hot, travel fast and can cut roads and trails
• If you are travelling through grassland and the fire danger ratings are high, you need to be aware of the risk
• Know the fire danger rating for the area you are travelling and know what to do you are caught in a fire

At your destination

• Stay up-to-date – check for fires in your area
• Use fire safely and be aware if there are any restrictions like Total Fire Bans
• Have a chat with your local NSW RFS brigade and follow their advice in the case of an emergency

Are you a tourism business or Airbnb host?

NSW First Quick Tips Guides provide practical advice to help tourism businesses prepare, respond and recover from the impacts of bush fires and other natural disasters.