NSW RFS Southern Tablelands Zone

29/05/2026

Members of Bellmount Forest Brigade have officially welcomed a refurbished fire truck, strengthening the Brigade’s firefighting and emergency response capability ahead of the upcoming fire season.
The refurbished vehicle will enhance the brigade’s ability to respond to bush fires, grass fires, motor vehicle accidents and other emergencies across the local area and surrounding communities.

Local brigade members were joined at the handover on Thursday by Yass Valley Council Mayor Jasmin Jones, Yass Valley Council Acting CEO Peta Gardiner and NSW Rural Fire Service staff, recognising both the important role volunteers play in protecting lives and property, as well as the strong partnership between local councils and the RFS.

The ongoing support provided by local councils is critical to ensuring brigades remain equipped, supported and ready to respond to emergencies within their communities.

Bellmount Forest Brigade Captain Denver Baines said the new truck would provide members with improved capability, safety and reliability while responding to incidents.

“This new appliance is a significant boost for our brigade and community. Not only does it ensure our volunteers have modern equipment to continue protecting the community safely and effectively, but it will also help spark interest and encourage new members to join the brigade,” Mr Baines said.

Photo L-R: STZ Group Captain Breet Lees, Phil Gaden, Yass Valley Council Mayor Jasmin Jones, Captain Denver Baines, Acting Yass Valley Council CEO Peta Gardiner.

Bellmount Forest Rural Fire Brigade Yass Valley Council NSW RFS South Eastern Area Command

29/04/2026

The Bush Fire Risk Management Plan (BFRMP) is a strategic document that identifies bush fire risks across our communities and sets out priority actions to help reduce those risks to life, property, the environment and key infrastructure. It is developed collaboratively by the Bush Fire Management Committee using local knowledge, bush fire history, expert analysis and input from agencies such as fire services, land managers and councils. Importantly, community feedback plays a key role in shaping the plan—local residents often have valuable insights into access points, vegetation changes and on‑the‑ground issues, and this feedback helps ensure the actions in the plan are practical, targeted and reflect local concerns
Please find attached a small flyer outlining the dates, times and locations for each of the consultation events for the smaller community centres.
I have also included the main Bush Fire Risk Management Plan link, which provides direct online access to the plan for anyone who is unable to attend in person or would like to review it independently.
https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/plan-and-prepare/managing-bush-fire-risk/bush-fire-management-committees/southern-tablelands
Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions or need further information

17/04/2026

🔥Hazard Reduction - Tallong - 18/4/2026

NSW RFS will be undertaking a planned Hazard Reduction at Tallong starting Saturday 18th April 2026.

Smoke may settle in the surrounding area while the burn is being conducted.

📱To keep up to date with what is happening in your area use the Hazards Near Me app

16/04/2026

🔥 Burning Off Reminder for Residents & Landowners 🔥

The Bush Fire Danger Period (BFDP) has now ended, however there are still important legal requirements that must be followed before lighting up.

Before you burn off, you must:

* Notify NSW RFS at least 24 hours prior via the online notification form: https://nswrfsprod.service-now.com/guardian_csp?id=guardian_cat_item&sys_id=9e19819bc361f1d04a9cdc31150131ad
* Notify neighbours at least 24 hours before.
* Check the weather forecast and fire danger.
* Use fire safely with clearings all around.
* Monitor the fire in person and see that it is fully extinguished before leaving unattended.

Safe Burning advice can be found via the link below:
https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/plan-and-prepare/farm-fire-safety/safeburning

⚠️ Failure to notify both the NSW RFS and adjoining landowners is an offence under the Rural Fires Act 1997.

If you do not comply, you may be subject to fines, legal action, or suppression costs if emergency services are required to respond.

Even outside the Bush Fire Danger Period (BFDP), fires can still escape and threaten lives, property and emergency first responders. Let’s all do our part to keep our community safe.

For more information, visit the NSW RFS website https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/
Or contact your local Fire control centre:

Crookwell (02) 4832 0619
Goulburn (02) 4822 2900
Yass (02) 6226 3100

🚒 Thank you for helping reduce fire risk in our communities.

10/03/2026

🧯 HAZARD REDUCTION NOTICE 🧯

Nottingham Hazard Reduction Burn
Planned Date: 13 March 2026

Firefighters from the New South Wales Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) are planning to conduct a 120-hectare hazard reduction burn, pending favourable weather conditions, on 13 March 2026 in the Wee Jasper area.

The Nottingham Hazard Reduction aims to reduce fuel loads to help protect nearby forestry plantations and contribute to the broader protection of communities within the Australian Capital Territory.

Firefighters will be supported by aircraft and Remote Area Firefighting Teams (RAFT) to ensure the burn is carried out safely and progresses slowly within established containment lines.

Smoke may be visible from the ACT and may persist through the weekend, depending on weather conditions.

Residents are encouraged to stay informed by visiting:

https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/hr

The Hazards Near Me NSW app on their mobile device.

08/03/2026

05/02/2026

🟠🟠 TOTAL FIRE BAN TOMORROW (06/02/2026) EXTREME FIRE DANGER RATING 🟠🟠

Tomorrow, a Total Fire Ban has been declared for the Southern Ranges Weather District (Upper Lachlan, Goulburn Mulwaree, Yass Valley, and Queanbeyan-Palerang LGA's)

What does this mean for you?
Extreme Fire Danger days mean conditions will be dangerous, fires will spread quickly and be extremely difficult to control, and lives and homes are at risk.

🚫A Total Fire Ban means no fires are permitted in the open. If you're camping in the area, do not light a campfire.
🚒Report all fires to Triple Zero (000).
📖Check your bushfire plan and ensure that your property is fire-ready tonight, don't leave it till the fire starts.
⚠️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 doing hot works like welding, grinding, or slashing, as one spark is all it takes to start a fire.
🚗Reconsider traveling through bushfire risk areas.
💨Don’t wait to see smoke — leave early if your plan is to go.

Stay informed via the Fires Near Me app or www.rfs.nsw.gov.au

For information about what you can and can't do during a Total Fire Ban, go to https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/.../fdr.../total-fire-ban-rules

Goulburn Mulwaree Council, Upper Lachlan Shire Council, Yass Valley Council

29/01/2026

Due to elevated Fire Danger Ratings continuing over the weekend, fire permits will remain suspended until Sunday, the 1st of February 2026.

26/01/2026

This Australia Day, our members are celebrating some massive wins, and we couldn't be prouder!

A huge congratulations to our six Members who today are being recognised for their amazing efforts to their community and the country.

AUSTRALIAN FIRE SERVICE MEDAL (AFSM)
Max Hedges - Manton Brigade.
Firefighter Max Hedges has been a member of the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) for 55 years and a field officer for 45 years in positions ranging from deputy captain through to being group captain for 25 years, providing fire ground leadership, management, and co-coordinating social and fundraising activities for the Manton Brigade and Group 2 brigades. He has mentored generations of firefighters, including the majority of the local field officers in the Southern Tablelands.

Max has been deployed to local and out-of-area fires, too many to count, and with this expertise has worked tirelessly to improve firefighting capabilities within the Southern Tablelands. Max was instrumental in establishing the Rural Fire Service Association branch in Yass, the RFS presence at the Murrumbateman Field Days, and has served on the Bush Fire Management Committee for many years. He raised funds to purchase appliances for Manton and the station, and drove the key infrastructure project’s introduction of radios, a fire spotting tower, and establishing the Fire Control Centre.

Max has encouraged and engaged new landowners to become involved in firefighting activities to protect their own properties. He has been active at the district and zone level, representing members and conveying brigade concerns within the group. After stepping down as a deputy captain, he continues to be a passionate advocate for firefighter health and safety.

ORDER OF AUSTRALIA MEDAL:
John Sullivan - Taralga Brigade and State Ceremonial Unit Commander
Awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to the community through emergency response organisations.

YASS VALLEY COUNCIL AUSTRALIA DAY AWARDS:

Johnathan Alley (Yass Valley Brigade, Bowning Brigade, and Goulburn Brigade) and Peter Alley (Former District Manager and Murrumbateman Brigade) - Awarded Yass Valley Council's Mayoral Special Australia Day Award for their outstanding service and dedication to the NSW Rural Fire Services, spanning generations of commitment to community safety and resilience

Lilly Chatwin - Yass Valley Brigade. Awarded Yass Valley Council's Young Citizen of the Year for her outstanding leadership, volunteering, and positive impact, demonstrating the power of youth in our community.

Phil Gaden – Bellmount Forest Brigade. Awarded Yass Valley's Citizen of the Year for his quiet leadership and long-standing contribution to Gundaroo and the wider Yass Valley community.

Congratulations to you all!

25/01/2026

🚒🚒 UPDATE - Firefighters have gained the upper hand, supported by Heavy Plant and Air Support to contain the fire. The fire is now at CONTAINED 🚨

Advice: Rugby Rd Fire, Bevendale (Upper Lachlan LGA) – Prepare Now
Firefighters are working to control a grass fire burning in the Bevendale area, approximately 40km north east of Yass. The fire is burning between Rugby and Kiowarrah Roads and is burning in a south easterly direction towards Bevendale Road. Those in the vicinity should prepare now. Check and follow your Bush Fire Survival Plan and stay up to date. Leaving early is your safest option.
Stay up to date, visit the Hazards Near Me app and website: https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/fire-information/fires-near-me?fbclid=IwY2xjawPijXFleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFFY3l5SjZwQW0yZnNLeVlqc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHn8MswX1_7L7ZcdsCCv2YBIuDWyUbUxksfluALN-tVYCC1qCAAu6r-DNvXBM_aem_1GNm6KyXugkNU4MxJgWWHA