Balranald Rural Fire Brigade

14/04/2026

19/02/2026

Thursday 19/2/26
Balranald hq with Koraliegh ,kyalite assisted weimby with a scrub fire in river country along the murray

13/02/2026

Very useful info

🚒 DID YOU KNOW:
The colour of smoke can indicate a fire’s behaviour. Where there’s smoke, there’s clues! 🔥🔍👀

Dense + white smoke = very moist fuels and mild fire behaviour

Pale grey/blue smoke = moist fuels and mild-moderate fire behaviour

Black/dark brown smoke = dry fuels and high fire behaviour

Copper/bronze smoke = very dry fuels and high to severe fire behaviour

Thin, lazily rising smoke column = small fire with low speed

Bent over close to ground + increasing in volume = wind-driven fire that is speedily rising

03/02/2026

23/01/2026

Fire permits suspended

🔴Fire Permit Suspension🔴

The RFS is suspending fire permits in the Wentworth Shire Council & Balranald Shire Council LGAs from 00:01 Saturday 24th of January through to 00:01am Saturday the 31st of January. This is due to the predicted elevated temperatures and fire risk in the coming week. During hot, dry and windy conditions, such as we are experiencing now, fires can start quickly and spread rapidly. Don't be the fire risk in your community. If you have a current active fire permit and are burning the fire must be fully extinguished prior to the suspension.

Stay alert, stay prepared and report any unattended fires to Triple Zero (000).

*Serious penalties, including fines and/or imprisonment, can and will apply for starting a fire without a permit during the Bush Fire Danger Period.*

10/12/2025

🔴Upcoming Fire Permit Suspension🔴

The RFS is suspending fire permits in the Wentworth Shire Council and Balranald Shire Council Local Government Areas from 11:59pm Friday 12th of December until 11:59pm Sunday 11th of January. If you currently have a permit and are burning please ensure it's fully extinguished prior to the suspension taking effect.

During hot, dry and windy conditions, such as we are experiencing now, fires can start quickly and spread rapidly. Given the time of year, we want our members to enjoy this time with their family and friends, not to be out responding to fires across the district. It only takes one small error, and that error can lead to a major incident within our community. The annual decision to suspend fire permits is nothing new and has been made in order to help keep the local community safe from bush and grass fires over the festive period.

*Serious penalties, including fines and/or imprisonment, can and will apply for starting a fire without a permit during the Bush Fire Danger Period.*

NSW RFS South Western Area Command Rural Fire Service - Curlwaa Dareton Rural Fire Brigade Buronga Rural Fire Brigade Gol Gol Fire Brigade, NSW Rural Fire Service Euston Fire Brigade Balranald Rural Fire Brigade Sunraysia Daily ABC Mildura Swan Hill

23/11/2025

We have farewelled the old Mack and had a big upgrade with a new to us low km Scania

02/10/2025

🚜🔥New Conditional Registration for Farm Firefighting Units🚜🔥

From 7 October 2025, a new conditional registration scheme will make it easier and more affordable for farmers and rural landholders to use Farm Firefighting Units (FFUs) on public roads when responding to nearby bush fires.

ℹ️ What’s changing?

📍 Farmers can now legally use FFUs beyond their own property during bush fire emergencies.

ℹ️ Lower registration costs:
📍 First year: up to $209
📍 Following years: around $126 (or $75 if no inspection required)

Includes inspection, licence plate and conditional rego.

Under the scheme, vehicles will be subject to the following requirements:
✅ Vehicle inspections as per the Authorised Inspection Scheme to establish registration, with inspection required every second year and registration to be renewed annually.
✅ Firefighting equipment must be permanently and securely attached to the vehicle.
✅ Vehicles must only be used for emergencies, not regular operations.
✅ May use roads up to 50km away from garaging address east of the Newell Highway, with no distance limit from garaging addresses west of the Newell Highway.

ℹ️ Check eligibility and apply via Service NSW from 7 October 2025:
👉 Apply for conditional vehicle registrationhttps: https://www.nsw.gov.au/driving-boating-and-transport/vehicle-registration/conditional-and-seasonal/apply-for-conditional-vehicle-registration

This scheme recognises the vital role farmers and landholders play in protecting rural communities during bush fire emergencies.

🔥Safety Guidelines for FFU Operators & RFS Members🔥

✅ Keep safety first at all times.
✅ Maintain clear communication with your crew and the RFS.
✅ Ensure the RFS Officer in Charge knows you’re on the fireground.
✅ Work with the RFS – never alone.
✅ Always wear PPE meeting Australian Standards.
✅ Keep vehicles and equipment serviceable and compliant (e.g. Road Transport Act 2013).

Together, we can strengthen fire preparedness and community safety.

01/10/2025

Today marks the official start of the bush fire season, with the Bush Fire Danger Period beginning in most NSW Local Government Areas.

If you’re planning on conducting a burn, you’ll require a fire permit from your local Fire Control Centre or brigade. Fire permits help ensure fire is used safely and reduces the danger to you, your property and the community.

Residents and land holders must know the rules when it comes to the use of fire. Along with having the required fire permits, you need to notify your local fire authority and neighbours of your intent to burn at least 24 hours in advance.

For more information on the Bush Fire Danger Period and requirements around safe burning, visit our website: www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/BFDP

28/09/2025

26/03/2025

End of the 24/25 Fire Danger Period!!!
As of 0001hrs on Tuesday the 01st of April, fire permits will no longer be required for open-air burning within the Wentworth and Balranald Local Government Areas. From the 01st of April, owner/occupiers MUST still provide 24-hours notice to both their adjoining landholders/neighbours and register their burn with the NSW RFS. Residents can register their burn via an online portal at https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/fire.../BFDP/burn-notifications or contact the District Office during business hours on (03) 5027-4422. NSW RFS South Western Area Command Rural Fire Service - Curlwaa Dareton Rural Fire Brigade Buronga Rural Fire Brigade Gol Gol Fire Brigade, NSW Rural Fire Service Euston Fire Brigade Balranald Rural Fire Brigade Wentworth Shire Council ABC Mildura Swan Hill Sunraysia Daily River 1467 Mildura