NSW RFS - Manyana

25/08/2026

🔥 Introducing The Ember – Spring 2026

We’re pleased to share the very first edition of The Ember, Manyana Rural Fire Brigade’s new seasonal community newsletter.

Each edition will help keep our community connected with the brigade, with updates on what we’ve been up to, upcoming events, bushfire preparedness information and practical tips to help you prepare for the season ahead.

In our first edition, you’ll find a Spring Seasonal Outlook, what’s been happening around the brigade, some simple preparation tips and details of our upcoming Get Ready Weekend on Sunday 20 September.

We hope you enjoy the first edition and would love to hear what you think.

Having trouble viewing or reading the newsletter? Send us a message via Messenger and we’ll be happy to send a PDF version to you.

Prepared communities are stronger communities.

27/07/2026

📅 SAVE THE DATE!

It's time again for Get Ready Weekend! 🔥

Come and meet your local Manyana Rural Fire Brigade volunteers at the station on:

📍 Sunday 20 September 2026
🕙 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Whether you're new to the area or have lived here for years, now is the perfect time to prepare for the upcoming bush fire season.

Come along for a chat and learn about:
🚒 Bush Fire Survival Plans
🏡 Preparing your home and property
📱 Staying informed with the Hazards Near Me NSW app
🔥 Local bushfire risks and how to be better prepared

No question is too small—we'd love to see you there!

01/06/2026

Today, 1 June is Smoke Alarm Action Day, where we encourage everyone to test the smoke alarms in their homes.

Be smart and take part, the seconds you use to test your smoke alarm could be the seconds that save your life.

For more information or help with a free safety visit to your home, contact our friends at Fire and Rescue NSW. To request a free safety visit, check out their website: www.fire.nsw.gov.au/visits

12/05/2026

We know leaving early is hard – but this matters – Neighbourhood Safer Places (NSP) – a quick reality check

Over the summer, we’ve heard a lot of people say that going to the Community Hall is their Plan A if threatened by a bush fire. We get why – it feels like a safe, familiar, and sensible option.

But here’s the reality: Neighbourhood Safer Places are not Evacuation Centres or recovery/resource centres. They are a PLACE OF LAST RESORT — only for when all other plans have failed.

There is no guarantee that:
❌ You can get there – roads may be blocked by fire, fallen trees or powerlines, or smoke may be so thick you can’t see where you’re going.
❌ Emergency services or staff will be there – fire crews may be committed elsewhere or unable to access the site. NSPs are not staffed by anyone. They are a place of last resort – your bush fire plan should include leaving early when the fire danger is unacceptable according to your plan.
❌ You will be safe – NSPs meet strict standards, however they may be susceptible to smoke and fire impact, hot embers might land around the NSP and conditions might be severe.

Neighbourhood Safer Places are for bushfires only. What the community hall is today, serves a very different purpose as an NSP!

Your bushfire survival plan should be based on what you feel safest doing. That might be to leave early or on some days it might be to stay and defend – whatever the action, it’s your action to own and that of everyone in your household. Everyone must agree on the plan and understand it. Those who are vulnerable or have additional needs should consider that the NSP will have no services.

We know leaving early might feel inconvenient, premature, or even unnecessary when nothing is happening yet. But inconvenience beats danger every single time.

👉 Monitor conditions
👉 Set clear trigger points
👉 Leave early if that is your plan

Our local hall is not an evacuation centre. It will not transition from an NSP to a serviced evacuation centre. Circumstances may also cause access to and from the NSP to be blocked, therefore making the NSP your first choice, is not the way to go.

For more information on Neighbourhood Safer Places:
👉 https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/plan-and-prepare/neighbourhood-safer-places

20/03/2026

Have you ever wanted to join the NSW RFS but you didn’t want to fight fires?
Here is a great opportunity to join and not do that.

Shoalhaven catering is looking for new members to help with cooking and making meals for our comrades on the front line.

We meet most Thursday mornings in Milton and some weekends, any time that you can give is greatly appreciated. Bring a friend and come along and meet the crew

NO COOKING SKILLS NEEDED!!

If your interested contact us via email

[email protected]

Hope to see you soon 🥘

20/02/2026

PLANNING TOGETHER | THE DRAFT SHOALHAVEN BUSH FIRE RISK MANAGEMENT PLAN IS NOW ON PUBLIC EXHIBITION

The Shoalhaven Bush Fire Management Committee (BFMC) is pleased to announce that the draft Bush Fire Risk Management Plan is now available on the RFS and the NSW Government 'Have Your Say' websites for community feedback.

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

https://www.nsw.gov.au/have-your-say/bush-fire-risk-plan-shoalhaven

The draft plan is available to view online or, if you so choose, you can view a hard copy at one of these locations:

• NSW RFS Fire Control Centre
• Shoalhaven City Council Admin Building ‘front desk’ (Nowra)
• Sanctuary Point Library
• Milton Library
• Ulladulla Library

Public exhibition is open until April 7 and each website has a feedback portal + information on how you can provide feedback in writing.


Shoalhaven City Council
NSW RFS South Eastern Area Command
NSW Rural Fire Service
WIN News Illawarra
94.9 Power FM
Radio 2ST
ABC Illawarra
Fire and Rescue NSW Station 405 Nowra
Fire and Rescue NSW Station 477 Ulladulla
Fire and Rescue NSW Station 224 Berry

09/01/2026

🔥 TOTAL FIRE BAN AND EXTREME FIRE DANGER RATING - TODAY SATURDAY 10 JANUARY🔥

A Total Fire Ban has been declared for the Shoalhaven and Jervis Bay Territory for Saturday 10 January.

With EXTREME FIRE DANGER conditions as a result of forecasted high temperatures, low humidity and gusty winds. Under these conditions bush and grass fires will be difficult to control, will likely spread quickly and drop embers many kilometres ahead of the main fire.

👉FIRE PERMITS SUSPENDED

👉HAVE A PLAN
Discuss with your family what you will do if a bush or grass fire starts near you. www.myfireplan.com.au

👉KNOW THE RULES
Don't be the fire risk to your community. Know the rules. Visit www.rfs.nsw.gov.au for further information.

👉STAY UP TO DATE
Download the Hazards Near Me app and monitor conditions regularly.

09/01/2026

🔥TOTAL FIRE BAN AND EXTREME FIRE DANGER RATING - SATURDAY 10 JANUARY🔥

A Total Fire Ban has been declared for the Shoalhaven and Jervis Bay Territory for Saturday 10 January.

With EXTREME FIRE DANGER conditions as a result of forecasted high temperatures, low humidity and gusty winds. Under these conditions bush and grass fires will be difficult to control, will likely spread quickly and drop embers many kilometres ahead of the main fire.

👉HAVE A PLAN
Discuss with your family what you will do if a bush or grass fire starts near you. www.myfireplan.com.au

👉KNOW THE RULES
Don't be the fire risk to your community. Know the rules. Visit www.rfs.nsw.gov.au for further information.

👉STAY UP TO DATE
Download the Hazards Near Me app and monitor conditions regularly.

09/01/2026

🔥🔥🔥Please take the time to read this important message ahead of the hot weather, we mean it when we say prepare now and discuss your bush fire plan today.

Also, if you have not taken note of previous posts regarding installing the Hazards Near Me App on your devices please do so and set up watch zones for your location.

FORECAST EXTREME FIRE DANGER CONDITIONS

As of 1030am today the forecast is for the Shoalhaven to experience EXTREME fire danger conditions tomorrow. With temperatures as high as 41 degrees, humidity as low as 15% and gusty hot winds the forecast conditions will make fires very difficult to control and pose an extreme risk to our responders and the community.

Under these forecast conditions fires will spread quickly and erratically, embers are likely to fall well ahead of the main fire, starting new and dangerous fires which could catch people unaware.

With extreme temperatures our firefighters will be at risk of heat related illness and direct attack on fires may not be feasible.

PREPARE NOW

- If you have not discussed your bush fire plan with family, do it today
- If you have not prepared your property by cleaning up around the house and removing leaves and loose vegetation, do it today
- Plan your day - avoid high risk areas if possible
- Pack emergency supplies in your vehicle such as drinking water - roads could be blocked by fires stranding people in 40 + temperatures

SEEK ADVICE

Visit the RFS website www.rfs.nsw.gov.au for information or download the Hazards Near Me app and set a watch zone with notifications.

MONITOR THE SITUATION

Proactively monitor the situation throughout the day. Visit the RFS website for major fire updates or check in on Hazards Near Me.

REPORT ALL FIRES

A timely response if critical during these conditions. Report all fires to '000' immediately and provide the location, a description of what you can see and information on the fire, such as any properties nearby.

OFFICIAL FIRE DANGER RATINGS AND TOTAL FIRE BAN INFORMATION WILL BE RELEASED THIS AFTERNOON

Shoalhaven City Council
South Coast Police District
ABC Illawarra
South Coast Register
WIN News Illawarra
94.9 Power FM
Chance and Bec Brekkie Show - Triple U FM
Radio 2ST

05/01/2026

🌡 Hotter Weather Ahead – Stay Informed 🌡

The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting warmer conditions across much of the South Eastern Area in the coming days and through to the weekend.

These conditions can increase fire risk and can also pose health risks, particularly for elderly people, young children and those with existing medical conditions. During extreme heat, remember to stay cool, stay hydrated and check in on family, friends and neighbours who may be more vulnerable.

ℹ️ Stay safe and stay informed by downloading the Hazards Near Me App if you have not already done so.

As the official and trusted source of emergency information, the app provides real-time updates on fires, severe weather and other incidents.

Ensure notifications are turned on and if you are travelling or holidaying, remember to set your watch zones to your current location so you receive alerts relevant to the area you are in.

With conditions able to change rapidly during warmer weather, staying informed helps you make safer decisions for yourself, your family and those around you.