Why we need a plan

Bush Fire Risk Management Plans are an effective instrument for managing risk to human activity and valued community and environmental assets. They are a key component in a multifaceted bush fire management approach for NSW.

We are planning together to manage bush fire risk in the North West area by preparing a new five-year plan of strategies and actions.

How will your input be used

The data from the Have Your Say survey responses has been anonymously supplied to your area’s Bush Fire Management Committee. They will assess data collections rather than individual answers, so that they can establish a clearer community sentiment and gain insights from a large sample size.

The personal details you submitted will be used to validate your submission and to allow notifications to be sent to you when the status of this BFRMP changes.

Our community

The North West BFMC area spans 5,758,115 hectares (ha). The area covers the Local Government Areas (LGA) of Bogan, Coonamble, Walgett and Warren and features National Parks covering an area of 117,088ha and State Forests covering an area of 54,650ha.

The North West area has approximately 46.57% bushland and 52.58% grassland with the balance being the built environment or water bodies. A bush or grass fire can happen at any time of the year, but the risk is higher during the warmer months, when bush, grass or scrub is drier.

  • As of the last census there are 5,630 homes in the North West area with an approximate population of 14,908.
  • The area has a high level of agriculture and mining, a high level of tourism, a high level of industry and manufacturing and a high level of local business.
  • Bush fires burned 18,958 hectares within the North West BFMC area during the 2022/23 bush fire season.
  • There are several valuable community assets across the area along with a number of culturally significant sites and environmentally important sites.

Current Bush Fire Risk Management Plan for North West

The Bush Fire Risk Management Plan (BFRMP) for North West was approved on 11 September 2018.

This BFRMP identifies the bush fire risks in each location and sets out the types of work scheduled to deal with the risk of bush fires.

BFRMPs are updated within every five-year period, however, the treatments and works set out in the plans are subject to change on a yearly basis due to fire activity, weather and new risk factors. This plan may not have been updated with the latest information.

View the current plan for North West

North West BFMC is made up of a range of stakeholders from the area including emergency services, land management agencies, local government and local Aboriginal land services, and local community groups. This ensures key community stakeholders have a say on bush fire management activities for the benefit of their communities.

North West BFMC is made up of the following representatives:

  • NSW Rural Fire Service
  • NSW Department of Industry (Crown Lands)
  • Country Energy
  • NSW Farmers' Association
  • Fire and Rescue NSW
  • Forestry Corporation of NSW
  • Bogan Shire Council
  • Coonamble Shire Council
  • Walgett Shire Council
  • Warren Shire Council
  • Local Aboriginal Land Councils
  • Nature Conservation Council of NSW
  • NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service
  • NSW Police
  • Transport for NSW
  • Lightning Ridge Area Opal Reserve
  • Local Land Services

Bush fire survival plan

Getting ready for a bush fire is easier than you think. Make a bush fire survival plan so you know what you will do if there’s a fire near you.

Prepare your home

A well-prepared home is more likely to survive a bush fire. Even if your plan is to leave early, the more you prepare your home, the more likely it will survive a bush fire or ember attack.

Prepare yourself and your family

Preparation isn’t just about cleaning up around the house and having a plan. It’s also about making sure you consider your physical, mental and emotional preparedness.