Fire Trails

Bush fires have been a natural part of the landscape for many thousands of years. As communities have developed and properties and towns have been established, the risk of bush fires impacting on communities has increased.

Throughout NSW there are approximately 1.3 million properties on bush fire prone land. Firefighters rely on roads, trails and other tracks on public and private land to access the landscape to prevent, fight, manage and contain bush fires. It is critical to identify, build and maintain an effective network of accessible fire trails that suit the firefighting operations, in support of community protection, conducted across NSW.

Fire trails serve an important role in bush fire suppression and bush fire management across the landscape. The NSW RFS Fire Trails Fact Sheet provides further information on the fire trails program and outlines the different classifications applied to fire trails across NSW and what they mean for member of the public and volunteers.

A strategic network of fire trails

Following changes in Legislation in July 2017, renewed works continue to be undertaken to identify and enhance the strategic network of fire trails.

The legislation defines strict safety, planning and maintenance requirements, so firefighters and land managers can safely manage and supress bush fires within an area.

The strategic network includes some of the existing fire trails. In some cases, work may be needed to bring these trails up to the new requirements.

In some areas where a need is identified by a Bush Fire Management Committee, new fire trails may be constructed. This may be on public land, or with the agreement of private landholders.

Fire trails identified as part of an area’s strategic fire trail network will be recorded in the area Fire Access and Fire Trail (FAFT) Plan.

Standards for fire trails

Standards have been developed to ensure fire trails meet the needs of firefighters. These standards define the criteria for the development and maintenance of fire trails for the protection of the community and its assets.

The Standards define requirements including trail width and clearances, drainage, signage, accessibility and other traits that impact on the performance of the fire trail and the safety of firefighters in the event of a fire. As an example, signage is installed on these fire trails so firefighters know the standard to which they’re constructed. This helps ensure firefighters can safely operate from trails and clearly identify access points and the limitations of each trail.

The Fire Trail Standards were gazetted on 1 December 2023. The Standards are reviewed periodically. The former NSW RFS Fire Trail Standards v1.1 (June 2019) replaced the 2016 version, which was the first set of Fire Trail Standards released in NSW.

Identified fire trails are also maintained and inspected regularly to ensure the standards are consistent throughout the year.

Application of these standards to identified fire trails is included in the Fire Trail Design Construction and Maintenance Manual.

The strategic fire trail network will be continually improved based on these standards. The Fire Trail Standards Video provide a brief overview of the RFS Fire Trail Standards, signage meanings and definitions and how fire trails are classified in NSW.

The Commissioner’s Register of Fire Trails

The RFS, in conjunction with other land management agencies, assesses the condition of fire trails across NSW against the NSW Fire Trail Standards. Once a fire trail is assessed and deemed to meet these Standards, it is certified and added to the Commissioner's Register of Fire Trails.

Fire trail mapping symbology

The RFS, in consultation with public land management agencies, has developed a standardised mapping symbology for fire trails across NSW.

Standardised fire trail mapping symbology ensures consistent identification of fire trail attributes and supports operational systems used during bush fire response, including mapping platforms, dispatch systems and mobile data terminals.

The Fire Trails Symbology List outlines the approved mapping symbols and standards used throughout NSW.

Reporting requirements for public land managers

Public land management agencies have an important role in maintaining the strategic fire trail network.

Under NSW fire trail policies and standards, public land managers are required to report on the condition and maintenance status of registered and designated fire trails located on land under their management.

This reporting supports:

• Statewide monitoring of fire trail condition
• Identification of maintenance priorities
• Planning and budgeting activities
• Ongoing operational readiness

Further information is available in the Fire Trail Reporting Responsibilities for Land Management Agencies fact sheet.

Submit a Registered Fire Trail Complaint or report a general fire trail issue

The people of NSW have a long-standing connection with fire trails and hold a range of views regarding their use, management and role within the landscape. Fire trails can serve a variety of purposes depending on operational and land management requirements.

As the lead agency for rural firefighting in NSW, the RFS may receive information, enquiries or feedback from members of the public regarding the condition or management of fire trails. This may include formal Fire Trail Complaints relating to a registered fire trail, as well as general enquiries or concerns regarding identified fire trails.

Information provided by the public about fire trail conditions and issues is valuable and can assist with incident planning, operational preparedness and decision-making during emergency incidents. The RFS welcomes feedback on fire trail conditions and related matters and, where appropriate, will refer information to the relevant land management agency for consideration and action.

You can submit a fire trail issue or enquiry by clicking here.

Fire Access and Fire Trail (FAFT) Plans

A Fire Access and Fire Trail (FAFT) Plan identifies the strategic network of fire trails and access routes required to support bush fire operations within a Bush Fire Management Committee area.

The plan records the location of identified fire trails and access routes and outlines any works required to ensure they remain suitable for operational use.

You can find out more about FAFT Plans, including a list of current FAFT Plans and information on Next Generation FAFT Plans, by clicking here.