Bushfire hazard
Bushfire hazard in the Cessnock LGA
Living in or near bushland is part of life in the Cessnock region — but so is living with the risk of bush and grass fires. Bushfires can happen at any time of the year, but the danger increases in the warmer months, when vegetation is drier and more prone to ignition.
Understand the risk
Our LGA's mix of rural landscapes, bushland, and growing residential areas means that many properties are located in or near bushfire-prone areas. Even if you live in town, you may still be affected by smoke, road closures, or ember attack during a fire event.
The NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) is the lead agency responsible for bushfire management and response across the state. However, preparing your property, your family, and your community is a shared responsibility.
Be prepared: Know your bushfire risk
Preparation saves lives and homes. A well-prepared property is more likely to withstand a bushfire, and gives you and your family the best chance of staying safe.
Here’s how to get ready:
- Create a Bushfire Survival Plan. Sit down with your family and decide what you’ll do if a fire threatens. Will you leave early? Where will you go?
- Make a plan with the NSW RFS Bushfire Survival Plan
- Prepare your home and property; Clear gutters, remove flammable material from around the house, and ensure hoses can reach all corners
- Read through property preparation tips
- Know the fire alert levels: Advice, Watch and Act, and Emergency Warning. Understand what each level means and how to respond.
- Download the Hazards Near Me NSW app and set a Watch Zone for your area. This free app sends real-time alerts for nearby bush fire incidents.
- Keep bushfire information handy. Save emergency contacts and useful links in your phone, and keep a printed version of your plan in an accessible spot.
Even if your plan is to leave early, preparing your home can help it survive. A well-prepared home is easier to defend, less likely to put your neighbours at risk, and can offer better protection if you're caught unexpectedly.
Stay informed
During high fire danger days, especially when it's hot, dry, and windy - stay alert to local conditions. Check:
Plan your movements accordingly and avoid travelling through bushfire-prone areas when risk is high.
A list of contacts and helpful smartphone apps can be found on our key emergency contacts page here.
Need assistance or want to learn more?
Cessnock City Council works with the NSW RFS and local community organisations to promote bushfire awareness, preparedness, and resilience across the LGA.
If your service, organisation or community group would like support or resources to help you prepare, please contact our Emergency Management & Resilience Team via council@cessnock.nsw.gov.au
Being ready is everyone’s responsibility. Prepare now so you’re not caught out later.
Hazard Reduction Burns in the Cessnock LGA
All hazard reduction activities are subject to strict safety and environmental planning, including weather conditions, smoke impacts, and ecological factors. Check out Council's Open Burning Policy here.
You can check if a hazard reduction burn is planned near your home or workplace, by visiting the NSW RFS Hazard Reduction & Fire Information Map here.
Some burns may produce smoke over several days. If you have a respiratory condition or are sensitive to smoke, monitor warnings and follow NSW Health advice during burn periods.
Need to burn on your property?
If you live in a rural fire district area and need to conduct a small burn on your property, you may be eligible for a fire permit during the official bush fire danger period (1 October to 31 March). You must apply for a permit.
Permits are free of charge and issued by the NSW Rural Fire Service. Before applying, you must:
- Check whether you need Council approval: https://www.cessnock.nsw.gov.au/Environment/Open-burning
- Consider if the burn is necessary for land management or safety
- Check the weather conditions are appropriate
- Notify neighbours and emergency services
- Follow all permit conditions
Find out more about fire permits here.
If you live in an urban fire district area, you must apply for a permit all year round.
For more information and to apply for a permit, visit the Fire and Rescue NSW website and search for ‘fire permit’.
Stay informed
You can check if a hazard reduction burn is planned near your home or workplace by visiting the NSW RFS Hazard Reduction & Fire Information Map here.
Some burns may produce smoke over several days. If you have a respiratory condition or are sensitive to smoke, monitor warnings and follow NSW Health advice during burn periods.
Neighbourhood Safer Places in the Cessnock LGA
Neighbourhood Safer Places (NSPs) are places of last resort during a bush fire emergency. They are locations that may offer some protection when it is no longer safe to stay at home, and it’s too dangerous to evacuate to a safer area.
An NSP is not an evacuation centre, relief centre, or a guaranteed safe location — but it may provide a safer alternative than remaining in a fire-affected area or being trapped on the road.
When to use a Neighbourhood Safer Place
You should only consider going to a Neighbourhood Safer Place if all other options in your Bush Fire Survival Plan have failed or cannot be carried out safely.
Your safest choice is always to leave early, well before fire conditions become dangerous. NSPs are a last resort — not part of a planned evacuation.
Planning ahead
Find out if there is a Neighbourhood Safer Place in your local area. Record it in your Bush Fire Survival Plan and make sure everyone in your household knows where it is. Plan more than one route in case roads are closed or blocked by fire
If your area does not have a listed NSP, think about other safer locations nearby, such as:
- A neighbour’s well-prepared home
- A large, cleared area like a sports oval
- A local shopping centre far from bushland
Important things to know about NSPs
People with special needs
If you are elderly, have a disability, or care for someone with additional needs, it is strongly recommended that you leave early, long before fire conditions become dangerous. Waiting until fire is near your property could be life-threatening.
NSPs in the Cessnock LGA
NSPs are assessed and designated by the NSW Rural Fire Service. To find out if there is a Neighbourhood Safer Place near you, visit this page of the NSW RFS website.
Fire Trails in the Cessnock LGA
Fire trails are unsealed access roads that allow emergency services to reach bushland areas quickly during a bush fire. They are a vital part of bush fire prevention and response planning across the Cessnock region.
These trails help firefighters:
- Reach remote or heavily vegetated areas
- Establish containment lines during fire operations
- Conduct hazard reduction burns
- Monitor fuel loads and bush fire risk
Fire trails form part of a proactive strategy to reduce bush fire hazards and protect local homes, infrastructure, and natural areas.
Are fire trails open to the public?
No, fire trails are not for public use. They are signposted and have locked gates to restrict access to authorised personnel only, including Council and emergency services.
Unauthorised use by the general public can:
- Cause damage to the trail surface
- Block or restrict access for emergency vehicles
- Increase maintenance costs and delay repairs
- Create safety hazards during a bush fire emergency
Keeping fire trails in good condition is essential for the safety of our community and the effectiveness of local fire response.
Need more information?
For more details about fire trails and how they support bush fire management in your area, please contact the NSW Rural Fire Service by visiting the NSW RFS website.