NSW RFS - Minimbah Brigade

07/10/2026

06/10/2026

A big thank you to the Minimbah Fairies! Or is it RUFUS?

We’ve certainly hammered our snack supplies over the last week or so, but thankfully our very own Minimbah Fairies have been busy behind the scenes keeping everything stocked.

From meeting supplies and truck snack packs — including plenty of gluten-free options — to constantly restocking the water and refilling the ice, they make sure our crews are looked after.

And for our recent Get Ready Weekend open day, the sausages, sauce, bread, onions and drinks just seemed to magically appear!

A huge thank you to the members who work so hard behind the scenes to keep our crews fed, hydrated and ready to go.

We couldn’t do it without you!

06/10/2026

Know your weather. Know your fire.

When out on the fire truck, conditions can change quickly. A Kestrel weather meter gives crews accurate local information on temperature, humidity and wind conditions.

Regular SITREPs are just as important. Communicating your location, fire behaviour, weather conditions, actions and any changes or hazards helps keep everyone informed and supports better decision-making.

Measure. Observe. Communicate. Stay safe.

04/10/2026

Minimbah RFB crews continue to patrol the fireground following the recent fire.

The photos show some of the hazards that can remain. A large tree that fell within the past 24 hours is still smouldering, while the size of the root ball shows the intensity of the fire.

There is also a risk of hidden holes and voids where roots have burnt away. These can remain hot and smouldering, so please take care when walking through the area.

A tree that had fallen across the track was safely cleared by an accredited chainsaw operator.

We ask that people steer clear of the fireground for a little while and be mindful of the remaining hazards.

04/10/2026

02/10/2026

Fun Firefighter Fact Friday - Same Flame, Different Game
Ever wondered what the difference is between a hazard reduction and a backburn?
Think of it this way:
• A Hazard Reduction is like cleaning your room before your parents tell you to.
• A Backburn is like frantically shoving everything under the bed after they’ve already walked through the door.
Hazard reductions are planned months in advance. Firefighters use mild weather windows to safely burn off excess vegetation, lowering the fuel load before summer hits.

Backburning is a last-resort defensive tactic used during an active bushfire. Firefighters intentionally burn vegetation ahead of the main fire front to starve it of fuel and stop it in its tracks.

Both involve fire, but one is a calculated strategy... while the other is an urgent race to stay one step ahead of a moving fire front.
The more hazard reductions we can safely complete, the less we have to rely on backburning under emergency conditions.

Stay safe, enjoy the long weekend, and remember: sometimes the best firefighting happens long before the sirens start.

02/10/2026

⚠️ POST-FIRE TREE SAFETY — PLEASE STAY CLEAR

A timely reminder following recent fires: burnt fire grounds can remain hazardous well after the flames are out.

The video shows a tree that has fallen since yesterday. It has come down at the base and is not blocking the track — but it is a clear example of the risks that can remain in fire-affected areas. More photos and videos in the comment section.

Fire can seriously weaken trees and their root systems, leaving them unstable and vulnerable to falling without warning. And this isn’t an isolated tree — there are plenty of others in the area showing similar signs of damage.

Please don’t enter burnt areas to inspect trees, explore or take shortcuts. Even trees that appear standing and intact may be structurally compromised, and branches or whole trees can fall unexpectedly.

Please stay safe and give these areas the time and space needed to be properly assessed.

02/10/2026

4wdriving out at Minimbah

01/10/2026

The Minimbah RFB will be out today patrolling the fire at Minimbah.

While there is currently no immediate danger, residents and those in the vicinity of the fire are urged to remain vigilant, monitor conditions and stay up to date in case the situation changes.

While it may be tempting to head down a track to check out the situation, the public is reminded that this is still an active fire. The risk of fallen trees is real, and crews will likely be clearing tracks of trees that have fallen overnight.

Please stay safe by keeping away from the fire area and allowing crews to do their work.

01/10/2026

Minimbah Rd Fire

Minimbah Brigade was out on site today for the fire in our own backyard. Crews undertook backburning operations to strengthen containment lines, which created plenty of smoke.

A big thank you to all the crews, volunteers and everyone involved in keeping our community safe.

Smoke is still visible across the area, but there is currently no immediate threat to properties.

Please stay up to date via Hazards Near Me or the NSW RFS website.