Bushfire
The Lismore region includes vast areas of bushland, rural properties and forested hills that can become highly flammable during hot, dry and windy conditions. Bushfires 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.
Bushfire prone lands
Areas of the Lismore region identified as bushfire prone land are more likely to be affected by bushfire and its associated impacts, such as ember attack, radiant heat and direct flame contact. The Bushfire Prone Land Map helps identify these areas to ensure new development and property modifications include appropriate bushfire protection measures.
Land identified as bushfire prone is subject to specific requirements under Planning for Bushfire Protection (2019), which guides building design, materials and vegetation management to reduce risk.
To check if your property is on bushfire prone land, view the Bushfire Prone Land Map on Council’s IntraMaps by selecting Bushfire 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.
Bushfire Household Assessment Tool
The NSW RFS Bushfire Household Assessment Tool can help you understand your property’s level of bushfire risk so you can make informed decisions when developing your Bushfire 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 bushfire 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 bushfire risk and improve protection for homes.
Bushfire risk management
Council has representation on the Northern Rivers Bushfire 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 bushfire management activities for their respective community’s benefit. The committee is responsible for developing the Northern Rivers Bushfire Risk Management Plan(PDF, 6MB) (updated every 5 years).
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View warnings and alerts online at the Bureau of Meteorology website.