NSW RFS - The Hills Communications Brigade

28/05/2026

The Hills Comms Brigade recently came together for our AGM.

Congratulations to all our members receiving the NSW Premier’s Flood Emergency Citation for extraordinary response efforts during the major flood events between 2021 and 2023.

Congratulations also to our elected officers.

Captain: Elizabeth Wood
Senior Deputy Captain: Craig Samuel
Deputy Captains:
Tony Derwin
Simon Thorn
Nick Derwin
Jacquie Broome

We would like to also recognise and sincerely thank our outgoing Deputy Captains, Ellen Coker and Rowena Cunneen, for everything they have contributed to the brigade.

25/04/2026

BANNERMAN ROAD HAZARD REDUCTION

Just letting the residents in the Annangrove, Kenthurst, Kellyville and Glenhaven areas know that there is a planned hazard reduction burn taking place today and tomorrow.

Smoke will be present in the area today and tomorrow. Crews have been preparing this burn for some time now and will be taking advantage of the favourable conditions.

There will be contraflow traffic for a period on Bannerman Road on today so please factor this in if you are going somewhere, and please slowdown in the burning area.

Key actions include:

- Keep doors and windows closed to prevent smoke entering homes
- Keep outdoor furniture under cover to prevent ember burns
- Retract pool covers to prevent ember damage
- Remove washing from clotheslines
- Ensure pets have a protected area
- Vehicles must slow down, keep windows up, turn headlights on
- Sightseers must keep away from burns for their own safety

If you have asthma or a lung condition, reduce outdoor activities if smoke levels are high and if shortness of breath or coughing develops, take your reliever medicine or seek medical advice.

For health information relating to smoke from bush fires and hazard reduction burning, visit the NSW Health website or Asthma Australia.

30/11/2025

🚫 𝗧𝗢𝗧𝗔𝗟 𝗙𝗜𝗥𝗘 𝗕𝗔𝗡 🚫
🟧EXTREME FIRE DANGER🟧
- Monday 1st December -

A Total Fire Ban will be in place tomorrow, Monday 1st December. The Greater Sydney Region is forecast to experience Extreme Fire Danger with hot, dry and windy conditions.

Know your fire risk and what you will do if fire threatens. Be ready to act. Report all unattended fires to Triple Zero (000).

🔸These are dangerous fire conditions.
🔸Check your bush fire plan and ensure that your property is fire ready.
🔸If a fire starts, take immediate action. If you and your property are not prepared to the highest level, go to a safer location well before the fire impacts.
🔸Reconsider travel through bush fire risk areas.

🚫TOTAL FIRE BAN RULES🚫

➡️ No fires during a Total Fire Ban

➡️ During a Total Fire Ban you cannot light, maintain or use a fire in the open, or to carry out any activity in the open that causes, or is likely to cause, a fire.

➡️ General purpose hot works (such as welding, grinding or gas cutting or any activity that produces a spark or flame) are not to be done in the open.

➡️ The NSW RFS strongly recommends you reconsider activities such as such using a tractor or slashing, to help reduce the chance of a fire starting on your property.

❗️Reminder❗️

✅ Stay Hydrated – Drink plenty of water throughout the day to prevent dehydration.

✅ Avoid Prolonged Outdoor Activities - especially during the hottest part of the day. Seek shade and take regular breaks if you need to be outside.

✅ Slip, Slop, Slap – Protect yourself from the sun with sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and protective clothing.

✅ Check on Others – Look out for vulnerable people in our community, including elderly neighbours or those with health conditions.

******

For more information:

💻 Visit the NSW Rural Fire Service website www.rfs.nsw.gov.au

📞 Call the Bush Fire Information Line 1800 NSW RFS (1800 679 737)

📲 Download the free smart device application ‘Hazards Near Me’er

28/11/2025

⛔️ TOTAL FIRE BAN ⛔️

Saturday 29th November

Call 000 for unattended fires.

A Total Fire Ban will be in place tomorrow, Saturday 29 November, for the following areas:

- Greater Sydney Region
- Greater Hunter
- North Western
- Upper Central West Plains

Hot, dry and windy conditions are forecast across most of the state, with four areas of Extreme fire danger.

Know your fire risk and what you will do if fire threatens. Report all unattended fires to Triple Zero (000). For more information on Total Fire Ban rules, visit the RFS website: www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/fdr

25/11/2025

A Total Fire Ban will be in place tomorrow, Wednesday 26 November, for the following areas:

- Greater Sydney Region
- Illawarra/Shoalhaven
- Greater Hunter
- North Western
- Central Ranges
- Upper Central West Plains
- Lower Central West Plains
- Southern Slopes
- Northern Riverina
- Southern Riverina
- Eastern Riverina

Hot, dry and windy conditions are forecast across most of the state, with widespread areas of Extreme fire danger.

Catastrophic fire danger is also forecast for the Lower Central West Plains. These are the most dangerous conditions for a fire. For your survival, avoid being in bush and grass fire risk areas within this region tomorrow.

Know your fire risk and what you will do if fire threatens. Report all unattended fires to Triple Zero (000). For more information on Total Fire Ban rules, visit the RFS website: www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/fdr

31/10/2025

Storm Warning 1755hrs. Call 132500 for storm assistance. The Bureau of Meteorology warns that, at 5:45 pm, severe thunderstorms likely to produce large hailstones and heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding were detected near Richmond, the Yengo National Park northwest of St Albans, the Burragorang State Recreation Area, Hill Top and the Putty/Howes Valley district. Significant accumulations of small hailstones are also likely. They are forecast to affect Windsor, Warragamba and Londonderry by 6:00 pm and Riverstone, Cobbity and Mulgoa by 6:15 pm.

2-3cm hailstones were observed at Glenquarry at 5:15pm.

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* Move your car under cover.
* Keep clear of creeks and storm drains.
* Don't walk, ride your bike or drive through flood water.
* If you are trapped by flash flooding, seek refuge in the highest available place and ring 000 if you need rescue.
* Unplug computers and appliances.
* Avoid using the phone during the storm.
* Stay indoors away from windows, and keep children and pets indoors as well.
* For emergency help in floods and storms, ring the SES (NSW and ACT) on 132 500.

The next warning is due to be issued by 6:30 pm.

A more general severe thunderstorm warning is also current for parts of the Mid North Coast, Hunter, Metropolitan, Illawarra, Central Tablelands, Riverina, South Coast, Southern Tablelands and Lower Western districts.

Warnings are also available through TV and Radio broadcasts, the Bureau's website at www.bom.gov.au or call 1300 659 210. The Bureau and State Emergency Service would appreciate warnings being broadcast regularly.

21/10/2025

21/10/2025

⛔️🔥 TOTAL FIRE BAN 🔥⛔️

Wednesday 22 October

A Total Fire Ban will be in place tomorrow, Wednesday 22 October, for the Greater Sydney, Illawarra/Shoalhaven, Greater Hunter, Upper Central West Plains and North Western areas.

Hot, dry and windy conditions are forecast across most of the state, increasing the fire danger. Know your fire risk and what you will do if fire threatens. Report all unattended fires to Triple Zero (000).

For more information on Total Fire Ban rules, visit the website: www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/fdr

17/10/2025

The Malabar HR in Dural is scheduled for this Sunday 19 October.

17/10/2025

The Bureau of Meteorology warns that, at 3:50 pm, a severe thunderstorm likely to produce large hailstones and damaging winds was detected near Leppington and Bringelly. This thunderstorm is moving towards the east. It is forecast to affect Sydney Airport, Liverpool and Bankstown by 4:20 pm and Sydney City, waters off Bondi Beach and Maroubra by 4:50 pm.

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* Move your car under cover or away from trees.
* Secure or put away loose items around your house, yard and balcony.
* Keep at least 8 metres away from fallen power lines or objects that may be energised, such as fences.
* Report fallen power lines to either Ausgrid (131 388), Endeavour Energy (131 003), Essential Energy (132 080) or Evoenergy (131 093) as shown on your power bill.
* Unplug computers and appliances.
* Avoid using the phone during the storm.
* Stay indoors away from windows, and keep children and pets indoors as well.
* For emergency help in floods and storms, ring the SES (NSW and ACT) on 132 500.

The next warning is due to be issued by 4:50 pm.

A more general severe thunderstorm warning is also current for the Metropolitan, Central Tablelands and parts of the Mid North Coast, Hunter, Illawarra, North West Slopes and Plains, Central West Slopes and Plains and Upper Western districts.