NSW RFS South Eastern Area Command

04/10/2026

⏰ Daylight saving has kicked in – but have you checked your smoke alarms?

These days, most of our phones, watches and devices change the time automatically, so changing the clocks might not be the reminder it once was.

But there’s one job still worth putting on the list to do this weekend — checking your smoke alarms ✔️

Working smoke alarms can provide the early warning you need to get yourself and your family safely out of your home in the event of a fire.

It only takes a few minutes, but a working smoke alarm could save your life.

While the clocks might change themselves these days, your smoke alarms still need you.

NSW RFS Southern Tablelands Zone
Riverina Highlands RFS
NSW RFS - Shoalhaven
NSW Rural Fire Service - Far South Coast Team
NSW Rural Fire Service - Lake George
NSW RFS - Snowy Monaro District

28/09/2026

South Eastern Area Command is proud to celebrate an exciting milestone for Talbingo Rural Fire Brigade, with the official opening of their new brigade station in the Riverina Highlands District.

The new purpose-built facility provides Talbingo Brigade volunteers with a modern and functional space to support their ongoing service to the Talbingo and broader Snowy Valleys communities.

The official opening was attended by representatives from across the NSW RFS, government and the local community, alongside brigade members, invited guests and those who have supported the brigade and the development of the new facility.

Replacing a station with more than 60 years of history, the new facility marks the beginning of another chapter for a brigade with a proud history of responding to bush fires, motor vehicle accidents, structural fires and other emergencies across the region.

While today celebrates a new building, it also recognises the generations of Talbingo Brigade members, past and present, whose commitment and service have made the brigade an important part of its community.

Congratulations to everyone involved in bringing this project to life, and most importantly, congratulations to the members of Talbingo Rural Fire Brigade on your new home.

Riverina Highlands RFS

22/09/2026

A NSW RFS strike team from NSW RFS South Eastern Area Command is on the road today, heading north to support firefighting operations in the Clarence Valley District. Crews are travelling to Grafton, where they will be tasked according to operational requirements and provide much-needed support to local firefighting efforts.

The call for assistance came with a short turnaround, and we would like to acknowledge and thank all members who were able to make themselves available at short notice to support communities further afield.

We wish our crews safe travels and a safe deployment, and thank them for once again stepping up when needed. 🚒🔥



NSW RFS Southern Tablelands Zone
Riverina Highlands RFS
NSW RFS - Snowy Monaro District
NSW RFS - Shoalhaven
NSW Rural Fire Service - Far South Coast Team
NSW Rural Fire Service - Lake George

19/09/2026

Across NSW, RFS brigades are conducting bush fire Get Ready activities where you can engage, gain an appreciation of local risk and validate your preparedness plans.

In the South East where several areas are drier than average and the bush and grass fire risk is very much prevalent, residents are strongly encouraged to drop by their local RFS fire stations at any of the events shown within the interactive link.

https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/news-and-media/get-ready-weekend-2026

Bush fire preparedness, let’s do it together.

NSW RFS Southern Tablelands Zone
Riverina Highlands RFS
NSW RFS - Shoalhaven
NSW Rural Fire Service - Far South Coast Team
NSW RFS - Snowy Monaro District
NSW Rural Fire Service - Lake George
fans
NSW RFS South Western Area Command
NSW Rural Fire Service
ABC Illawarra
ABC Emergency
ABC South East NSW
ABC Riverina
ABC Canberra

As the bush fire season approaches, now is the time to understand your bush fire risk and take simple steps to prepare your home, property and family. To help you get ready, the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) hosts Get Ready Weekend events across the state, providing free information, practical advice...

16/09/2026

GET READY WEEKEND – ARE YOU READY FOR BUSH FIRE?

This weekend is the NSW RFS annual Get Ready Weekend, with brigades across South Eastern Area Command opening their doors and heading out into their communities to help you prepare for the bush fire season ahead.

Take the opportunity to meet your local NSW RFS members, they will be ready to chat about some of the things that could make a real difference when bush fire threatens.

While this weekend is the annual Get Ready Weekend, events are scheduled across our six Districts throughout spring, so there are still plenty of opportunities to get involved.

📍 Find your local Get Ready Weekend event: https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/news-and-media/get-ready-weekend-2026

Find an event near you, come along, and have a conversation with your local brigade. Are you ready for bush fire?

NSW RFS Southern Tablelands Zone
NSW RFS - Snowy Monaro District
NSW RFS - Shoalhaven
NSW Rural Fire Service - Lake George
NSW Rural Fire Service - Far South Coast Team
Riverina Highlands RFS

11/09/2026

We’re wishing the very best of luck to our members heading to Dubbo this weekend to compete at the NSW RFS State Championships.

Representing our Area will be teams from Huskisson Volunteer Rural Fire Brigade in the Shoalhaven District and Nelligen Rural Fire Service in the Far South Coast District, and the NSW RFS - Lake George Communications Brigade from the Lake George District, ready to put their teamwork, communication and operational skills to the test.

We’re also proudly represented in the chainsaw events, with some of our very skilled chainsaw operators stepping up to test their precision, technique and capability against competitors from across the state.

The State Championships are a fantastic opportunity for members from across NSW to come together, challenge themselves, strengthen their skills and put their training into practice through a range of events.

We know plenty of preparation and training goes into reaching this level, and we’re proud to see our members representing their brigades, districts and the South Eastern Area.

Good luck to all our competitors, we’ll be cheering 👏 you on from home!

Do us proud and, most importantly, enjoy the experience!

NSW RFS - Shoalhaven
NSW Rural Fire Service - Far South Coast Team
NSW RFS Southern Tablelands Zone
NSW Rural Fire Service - Lake George
Riverina Highlands RFS
NSW RFS - Snowy Monaro District

03/09/2026

GET READY WEEKEND, ARE YOU READY FOR BUSH FIRE. Get Ready Weekend is one of the NSW RFS’s biggest community preparedness events of the year, and brigades across South Eastern Area Command are getting ready to welcome their communities.

Across our six Districts, NSW RFS volunteers will be hosting Get Ready Weekend events throughout September and spring, giving you the opportunity to meet your local brigade, ask questions and find out what you can do to better prepare yourself, your family and your property for the upcoming bush fire season.

🔥 Understand your local bush fire risk
🏡 Prepare your home and property
📋 Review or create your Bush Fire Survival Plan
📱 Know where to get reliable information during a fire
🚒 Talk directly with local NSW RFS members about preparing for the season ahead

Preparedness looks different for every property, household and community, and our members are here to help you be as prepared as possible. There are Get Ready Weekend events registered across our Area, with some brigades holding events on the official weekend and others throughout spring.

📍 Find your closest Get Ready Weekend event using the map below, mark the date and come along for a chat with your local NSW RFS members.

A conversation now could make a big difference when you need it most.

Find a Get Ready Weekend event near you: https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/news-and-media/get-ready-weekend-2026

21/08/2026

🔥 Bush Fire Danger Period – know what applies in your area

Bush Fire Danger Period is beginning to come into effect across parts of the NSW RFS South Eastern Area Command.

From 1 September, the Bush Fire Danger Period (BFDP) will commence in the:

📍 Shoalhaven District
📍 Far South Coast District

For residents in these areas, this means a Fire Permit is required before lighting a fire in the open, including permitted pile burns.

If you're planning to burn, remember that obtaining a permit is only part of your responsibility:

🔥 Check – Ensure your proposed burn meets the relevant requirements and can be conducted safely.
📝 Permit – Obtain the required Fire Permit on line here https://nswrfsprod.service-now.com/guardian_csp during the Bush Fire Danger Period.
📱 Notify – Once you've identified suitable conditions, provide at least 24 hours' notice before lighting by notifying the NSW RFS https://nswrfsprod.service-now.com/guardian_csp and notifying your adjoining neighbours.
🌦️ Monitor – Continue to monitor weather and fire conditions. A permit does not mean a burn should proceed if conditions are no longer suitable.

What about other parts of South Eastern Area Command? The Bush Fire Danger Period does not commence at the same time across all six of our Districts. Other Districts across the Area Command will enter the BFDP progressively over the coming months. Residents are encouraged to know the arrangements that apply in their local area, monitor upcoming changes and follow their local NSW RFS District page for information relevant to their community.

These requirements are in place to ensure planned burns are appropriately assessed and recorded, neighbours are aware of your intention to burn, and our communities remain safe.

👉 For information about Fire Permits, notification requirements, pile burning and the Bush Fire Danger Period, visit rfs.nsw.gov.au.

NSW RFS - Shoalhaven
NSW Rural Fire Service - Far South Coast Team
NSW RFS Southern Tablelands Zone
Riverina Highlands RFS
NSW Rural Fire Service - Lake George
NSW RFS - Snowy Monaro District

19/08/2026

Today, AFAC News released the Bushfire Seasonal Outlook for Spring. NSW experienced unseasonably warm conditions over winter, while rainfall has been variable. With parts of northern and south-eastern NSW receiving below-average rainfall, these areas are entering spring drier than usual.

Forecasts for early spring continue to point to below-average rainfall and unusually warm conditions with fuels expected to continue drying across NSW. The highest risk is expected to be in northern and south-eastern NSW, as these areas are already rapidly drying out. Forested areas in these regions are experiencing high fuel loads and are dense and well-connected, which is of particular concern.

While fire risk is expected to be elevated through early spring, rainfall prospects for late spring into early summer have shifted to a slightly wetter outlook, although some uncertainty remains.

If you live, work, or travel through bush fire-prone areas, ensure you are prepared. Review and discuss your bush fire survival plan so you know what to do if threatened by fire.

For more information, visit: www.afac.com.au/public-resources/seasonal-bushfire-outlook-spring-2026

27/05/2026

On Saturday, specialist chainsaw operators from across South Eastern Area Command (SEAC) came together in the Southern Tablelands District to battle it out for the opportunity to represent SEAC at the NSW RFS State Championships Chainsaw Event later this year.

The competition put members through a range of challenging events testing precision, safety and technical capability, including tree felling, chainsaw maintenance and techniques, site safety and hazardous tree identification.

🏆 Results from the day:
Coming in first place, Dave Alexander – Shoalhaven District,
Scott Thornton – Riverina Highlands in second place,
Chris Strange – Shoalhaven District in third place and
Matt Jennings – Far South Coast District in fourth place.

Dave will now go on to represent SEAC at the NSW RFS State Championships in Dubbo this September, where he’ll face off against current reigning State Champion Richard Alley from Southern Tablelands District.

A huge congratulations to all competitors who showcased an exceptional level of professionalism, skill and operational capability throughout the competition. The results reflect the high standards of chainsaw operators we have across South Eastern Area Command and the significant commitment our members make to maintaining safe and effective operations.

Best of luck to Dave and Richard as they prepare to represent SEAC at the State Championships in Dubbo from 11–13 September. We’ll certainly be cheering them on!

NSW RFS Southern Tablelands Zone
NSW RFS - Snowy Monaro District
NSW Rural Fire Service - Lake George
NSW RFS - Shoalhaven
NSW Rural Fire Service - Far South Coast Team
Riverina Highlands RFS