Bushfire management

We are responsible for managing fire in around two million hectares of native and plantation forests as part of NSW's combined firefighting efforts led by the NSW Rural Fire Service.

We prevent and respond to fires to protect communities, neighbouring properties and our State forest assets. We also use fire as part of the forestry cycle to create a rich seed bed for regenerating forests and replanting plantations.

In fire season, we work to detect fires early and respond rapidly so we have the best chance of extinguishing fires while they are  relatively small. We staff a network of fire towers and use lighting detection software and aircraft to detect bushfires as soon as possible.

Read our Fire Management Policy and Fire Management Plan.

What can you do to help?

• Obey all fire rules
• Pay attention to weather during the bushfire danger period (normally 1 October to 31 March)
• Some forests have a ban on all solid fuel fires even during mild or overcast days because the risk of bushfire is too high and it is safer to not have any fires at all in these areas.
• During a declared Total Fire Ban no fires are permitted at all.
• If you see a fire threatening homes or people, report it immediately by phoning 000. Ask for fire brigade and be prepared to give the location of the fire as accurately as possible.
• Stay clear of firefighting and hazard reduction operations, they are extremely dangerous activities.
• Plan in advance and pay attention to signs in the forest.

Hazard reduction

We use hazard reduction burning to reduce forest fuels such as sticks, leaf litter, grass and dead wood on the ground. About hazard reduction and fuel management.

Cultural burning

For thousands of years, regular cool burns were carried out by Aboriginal communities. We partner with local Aboriginal communities throughout NSW to continue this cultural practice, reducing the risk of bushfire through cultural burning. More about cultural burning.