NSW RFS Northern Tablelands District

06/09/2026

FIRE PERMITS SUSPENDED – MONDAY 7th September until MONDAY 14th September
due to the forecast High Fire Danger, all fire permits in Inverell & Tentrerfield LGA's are suspended from midnight today until Midnight Monday morning.
This measure is being taken to reduce the risk of fires starting and spreading under the heightened fire conditions.
If you currently hold a fire permit, you are unable to light new fires or stoke up existing fires during the suspension period. Please ensure any planned burns or activities requiring a permit are postponed.
Failure in complying with this suspension WILL result in heavy fines.

02/09/2026

FIRE PERMITS SUSPENDED – THURSDAY 3rd September until MONDAY 7th September
due to the forecast High Fire Danger, all fire permits in Inverell, Tentrerfield and Glen Innes LGA's are suspended from midnight today until Midnight Monday morning.
This measure is being taken to reduce the risk of fires starting and spreading under the heightened fire conditions.
If you currently hold a fire permit, you are unable to light new fires or stoke up existing fires during the suspension period. Please ensure any planned burns or activities requiring a permit are postponed.
Failure in complying with this suspension WILL result in heavy fines.

01/09/2026

** Fire - Billirimba Road, Rocky River **

A fire has started in the Rocky River area.
There is no immediate danger to any life or property.
Firefighters using a water bucketing helicopter are slowing the spread of fire.

Please stay up to date in case the situation changes.

Your Actions:
• If your life is at risk, call Triple Zero (000).
• Stay up to date on the situation by monitoring local radio, the RFS website, Fires Near Me NSW smartphone app or social media.

26/08/2026

Our new Compressed Air Breathing Apparatus (CABA) cylinder refill station has been installed and is now fully operational.

The station can refill up to six BA cylinders simultaneously in approximately 12–15 minutes, providing a quick turnaround for our brigades trained in Breathing Apparatus operations.

This means our crews can confidently use their BA equipment at incidents and undertake more regular training, knowing used cylinders can be exchanged or refilled with minimal delay.

This is a fantastic new capability for the Northern Tablelands and will further strengthen the safety and operational readiness of our brigades.

21/08/2026

Have you got an online Fire Permit yet ?

Posting links to the online Fire Permit Application Portal again.

https://nswrfsprod.service-now.com/guardian_csp...

-It would be in your interest to create an account to facilitate and track future applications and notifications etc.

https://nswrfsprod.service-now.com/guardian_csp...

-You are still required to notify neighbours and RFS 24hrs prior to lighting the fire. Can be done online,

https://nswrfsprod.service-now.com/guardian_csp... or by dialling the number on the permit. 🔥🔥🔥🔥

As always, we are here to help. Please reach out if you get stuck.
Paper permits can still be issued, but we are strongly encouraging the use of the online service.
Our FPOs are here to help if you have any trouble.

31/07/2026

🔥 HAZARD REDUCTION BURNS – TINGHA 🔥

The NSW Rural Fire Service will be conducting multiple hazard reduction burns around the village of Tingha from Monday 3 August through to Friday 7 August.

RFS crews will be onsite each day, with burning activities subject to suitable weather and operational conditions.

Residents may notice smoke in and around Tingha throughout the week. To help reduce smoke impacts, residents are encouraged to:

Keep doors and windows closed.
Remove washing from outdoor clotheslines.
Keep pets in a protected area where possible.
If driving through smoke, slow down, switch on headlights and follow directions from crews.

People with asthma or respiratory conditions should take additional precautions and follow their health management plans.

These burns form part of ongoing work to reduce bush fire risk and better protect the Tingha community ahead of the coming fire season.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation while this important work is undertaken. 🚒🔥

30/07/2026

Bush Fire Danger Period Starts Tomorrow

The Bush Fire Danger Period (BFDP) commences tomorrow, 1st August 2026 for the Tenterfield, Inverell and Glen Innes Severn LGAs.

✅ Make a Bush Fire Survival Plan
✅ Prepare your property now
✅ A Fire Permit is required during the BFDP
✅ Notify your neighbours and the Fire Control Centre at least 24 hours before lighting up

Don't wait until it's too late. Get prepared now and help keep our community safe this fire season.

For more information visit: www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/fire-information/BFDP

17/07/2026

Drake Community event:
- Saturday 18th July, 10am.
- Drake Hotel
- all are invited

15/07/2026

05/05/2026

Our district was incredibly proud to see Glen Curry Captain of Barney Downs Rural Fire Brigade - RFS recognised at the 2026 St Florian Day Awards.

Glen was recognised for his actions during a motor vehicle rescue incident in 2025, where his calm leadership, compassion and commitment to helping others reflected the very best qualities of the NSW RFS and our local volunteers. Anyone who knows Glen also knows he would be the first to downplay the recognition and point to the efforts of everyone else involved on the day — a true reflection of the humble and community-minded person he is.

While this award recognises one individual, it also represents something much bigger. Across our district, volunteers give up countless hours away from their families, work and personal lives to protect and support their communities. From attending fires and storms, to training nights, hazard reductions, community events and supporting each other behind the scenes, it is these everyday contributions that keep our brigades strong.

We are incredibly fortunate to have volunteers like Glen, and so many others across our district, who continue to serve their communities with professionalism, pride and genuine care for others.

Congratulations Glen on a very well-deserved recognition, and thank you to every volunteer across the district for everything you do.