Dangerous fire conditions - Catastrophic Fire Danger

Total Fire Bans have also been declared for 11 areas across the state.

Catastrophic is the highest level of bush fire danger and the most dangerous conditions for a fire.

Your life may depend on the decisions you make, even before there is a fire.

Advice for people in areas of Catastrophic fire danger include:

• For your survival, leaving a fire risk area is your safest course of action.
• Stay safe by going to a safer location early in the morning or the night before.
• A safer area may be a large town or city, shopping centres or facilities well away from fire risk areas.
• Stay out of paddocks and bushland areas during the hottest parts of the day.
• Homes cannot withstand fires in these conditions. You may not be able to leave and help may not be available.
• Schools in identified high risk areas may be closed. Schools will notify affected students.

Large areas of the state are also forecast to experience Extreme fire danger.

Based on latest forecasts from the Bureau of Meteorology, the following fire danger ratings are expected on Wednesday. These are subject to change as forecasts are updated:

Catastrophic: Lower Central West Plains

Extreme: Greater Hunter, Greater Sydney, Illawarra/Shoalhaven, Central Ranges, North Western, Upper Central West Plains, Southern Slopes, Eastern Riverina, Southern Riverina, Northern Riverina.

This is the first time that Catastrophic fire danger has been forecast for any part of NSW since September 2023.

Extreme fire danger is also likely to continue into Thursday for parts of the state.

For more information on Fire Danger Ratings and Total Fire Bans, visit the RFS website www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/fdr