Bush fire
The Lismore region includes vast areas of bushland, rural properties and forested hills that can become highly flammable during hot, dry and windy conditions. Bush fires can start quickly and spread rapidly, threatening lives, homes and the environment. Even residents living in town or on the outskirts can be affected by smoke, embers and road closures.
You may still be at risk of experiencing indirect impacts such as temporary isolation or loss of essential services like electricity and communications.
Learn more: NSW Rural Fire Service – Know your risk.
Bush fire prone lands
Areas of the Lismore region identified as bush fire prone land are more likely to be affected by bush fire and its associated impacts, such as ember attack, radiant heat and direct flame contact. The Bush Fire Prone Land Map helps identify these areas to ensure new development and property modifications include appropriate bush fire protection measures.
Land identified as bush fire prone is subject to specific requirements under Planning for Bush Fire Protection (2019), which guides building design, materials and vegetation management to reduce risk.
To check if your property is on bush fire prone land, view the Bush Fire Prone Land Map on Council’s IntraMaps by selecting Bush Fire Prone Lands Map from the ‘module’ list and clicking BFPLM 2009 within the ‘layer’ list. (Note: Council is in consultation with the NSW RFS to update the map content.)
If you are a landholder in an identified bush fire-prone, rural-zoned area, follow the NSW Government Rural Boundary Clearing Code(PDF, 631KB) to guide you on removing vegetation from your property boundary to help prevent fire spreading. Please note that heavy penalties apply if the environmental protection requirements are not upheld. Consult NSW RFS boundary clearing FAQs for more information.
Bush Fire Household Assessment Tool
The NSW RFS Bush Fire Household Assessment Tool can help you understand your property’s level of bush fire risk so you can make informed decisions when developing your Bush Fire Survival Plan – including whether you will leave early or stay and defend your property.
Fire Danger Rating
The NSW RFS Fire Danger Ratings outline how dangerous a bush fire would be if one started, helping you decide what actions to take to protect life and property. Conditions can change rapidly throughout the day, so it’s essential to stay up to date.
You can check current fire danger ratings and total fire bans for your area on the NSW RFS website.
10/50 vegetation clearing
The NSW 10/50 Vegetation Clearing Scheme allows property owners in designated areas to clear vegetation within 10 metres of their home and prune trees within 50 metres, to help reduce bush fire risk and improve protection for homes.
Bush fire risk management
Council has representation on the Northern Rivers Bush Fire Management Committee. The committee comprises a range of stakeholders from the area, including emergency services, land management agencies, local government, local Aboriginal land services and local community groups to ensure each has a say on bush fire management activities for their respective community’s benefit. The committee is responsible for developing the Northern Rivers Bush Fire Risk Management Plan(PDF, 6MB) (updated every 5 years).
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View warnings and alerts online at the Bureau of Meteorology website.