NSW Rural Fire Service - North West

25/05/2026

‼️LAST CHANCE - this is your last chance to provide feedback on the draft Bush Fire Risk Management Plan for the North West Zone area. Your views are important, to help fire agencies and land managers protect people, properties and our way of life over the next five years.

✅Don't miss your opportunity to review the plan and have your say. Let's continue to work together to protect what matters most.

⚠️Public exhibition closes 5pm, Wednesday 3rd June 2026.

👉https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/plan-and-prepare/managing-bush-fire-risk/bush-fire-management-committees/north-west

25/05/2026

We’re at the Coonamble Show talking all things bush fire preparedness!

Come down tomorrow and Wednesday to meet Smokey, check out the trucks and have a yarn with our members. See you at the show! 🚒

19/05/2026

Did you know that the NSW RFS and councils across the state work hand in hand from day to day on infrastructure and fleet needs through to operational deployments, especially with the use of council-owned heavy plant playing a role at fires and other incidents?

Council staff who enter fire grounds and other incidents under NSW RFS control are required to hold a bush fire awareness certificate, which needs to be renewed every three years to ensure they are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to work safely in that environment.

Today, we were able to deliver bush fire awareness training to some staff at Warren Shire Council.

17/05/2026

This time of year presents a valuable opportunity for us to focus on professional development, and this weekend, we took a significant step forward with our Hydraulics course. This comprehensive training program equips our members with the skills to navigate complex pumping systems and develop effective problem-solving strategies. Notably, this course is a key component of the Advanced Firefighter Qualification, a prerequisite for the esteemed Crew Leader role. We were thrilled to have members from the Coonamble HQ, Mowlma, Gulargambone, Burren Junction, Noonbah, and Central Warren brigades participate, and we are proud to announce that all attendees successfully passed.

The NSW Rural Fire Service is committed to empowering individuals with the knowledge, skills, and experience necessary to drive positive change in their communities. If you are inspired to join our team and embark on a rewarding journey of growth and service, please contact our office at 6822 7709 or visit us for a chat.

A big thanks goes to Coonamble Group Officers John Alchin and Neal Coombes as well as Coonamble HQ member Lane Lewis for their help this weekend and a big congratulations to the 10 newly qualified members.

15/05/2026

We live with the risk of bush fire in the North West Zone area. This is your chance to have a say on how the risk is managed to protect people, properties and our way of life. Take a few moments to review the plan and complete the survey before the 3rd June 2026: https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/plan-and-prepare/managing-bush-fire-risk/bush-fire-management-committees/north-west

13/05/2026

With favourable conditions forecast for this weekend, the NSW RFS will be undertaking a hazard reduction burn to reduce bush fire risk to the community of Lightning Ridge.

The hazard reduction burn, located on Borehead Rd, is set to commence at 1pm this Saturday, 16th May. For your safety and the safety of our crews, please limit travel to this area to essential purposes only while the burn is in progress.

It is expected that the burn will take 8 hours to complete. Residents are advised to keep doors and windows closed from 1pm and overnight, and avoid hanging out washing during this time.

RFS crews will continue to monitor and patrol the area over the following days to ensure both sites are fully extinguished. Only report unattended fires to '000'.

For up to date information, download the Hazards Near Me app, or visit the RFS website at rfs.nsw.gov.au

Walgett Shire Council

09/05/2026

We are all set at Walgett show!! Come say hello to the crew members, check out the the truck, and see how you can volunteer with the RFS! You can find the RFS stand just off sideshow alley near the grand stand.

07/05/2026

Our thoughts are with Roys family and the NSW Rural Fire Service Canobolas Zone

Vale Roy Ferguson 6th May 2026

Today we received the sad news of the passing of one of our own, Mr Roy Ferguson Operations Support Officer.

Roy Ferguson was a true gentleman, always there to support. We send our sincere condolences to his lovely wife Kerrie and Roy’s family.

Roy’s RFS Story

Roy commenced service with 'District' Rural Fire Brigade, Blacktown in 1974, he also joined Blacktown SES in 1976 and served both organisations till moving to Orange in 1991 where he joined the Clifton Grove Rural Fire Brigade.

He held the role of Deputy Captain and Brigade Training Officer from 1996 to 2003. Roy was a very active and dedicated member of the Service and has attended numerous S44 fires and other incidents over his 41 years of service.

March 2004 Roy gained full time employment with the Service and has served as Team Manager for the North West Team, Bogan, Coonamble, Walgett and Warren – Regional office in Young as Assistant Operations Officer Region West.

Roy transferred back to Orange late 2007 and commenced with Canobolas Zone as Operations Support Officer, retiring in 2016.

In 2005 Roy was awarded a Bronze Bravery Medal by the Royal Humane Society of Australasia and in 2007 the Commissioners Commendation for Bravery.

Superintendent Brett Bowden said of Roy. "He eats, sleeps and breathes the community, that's what he does," he said.

07/05/2026

Bush fires can affect our homes, livelihoods and communities with devastating consequences. Fire agencies and land managers are working to develop a new Bush Fire Risk Management Plan for the North West Zone area, and we’re seeking your views on what’s
important to protect.

The plan is open for public exhibition until 2nd June 2026 and we encourage everyone that lives and works in the area to consider the plan and provide feedback here:
👉https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/plan-and-prepare/managing-bush-fire-risk/bush-fire-management-committees/north-west

06/05/2026

With favourable conditions forecast, the local Lightning ridge rfs your rural fire service will be undertaking two small hazard reduction burns to reduce the risk to community members and visitors to Lightning Ridge.

It is expected that the Fantasia Street HR will commence at 3pm this Friday, 8th May and then RFS crews will move to the Morilla St HR off the Bill O'Brien Way afterwards to complete that. Given the small size of these two hazard reductions, they will be completed relatively quickly and be wrapped up by about 10pm.

Residents in the area are advised to keep doors and windows closed from 3pm and overnight, and to avoid hanging washing on the line during this time.

RFS crews will continue to monitor and patrol the area into the weekend to ensure both sites are fully extinguished. Only report unattended fires to '000'.

For up to date information, please ensure the Hazards Near Me app is downloaded on your phone, or visit the RFS website at rfs.nsw.gov.au