URGENT UPDATE: A serious fire threat has been issued for the MIA District as the Rural Fire Service (RFS) warns residents of dangerously high conditions on November 25 and 26. With temperatures expected to soar into the mid-30s °C and strong winds predicted, the risk of grass fires is alarmingly high.
RFS Superintendent Scott Connor emphasized the severity of the situation, stating, “Under hot and windy conditions, grass fires can spread quickly and threaten lives, property, crops, and stock.” The RFS has reported a Fire Behaviour Index (FBI) expected to exceed 50 and an extreme Fire Danger Rating (FDR), meaning the potential consequences of any fire outbreak could be devastating.
Residents and landholders in the MIA are urged to take immediate action to protect their properties. Superintendent Connor advised, “Every landholder should be prepared for fire and have firefighting equipment on hand, like a full knapsack or a handheld chemical fire extinguisher.”
To enhance safety, the RFS recommends implementing fire breaks around assets and standing crops, ensuring all farm equipment is in top working order, and registering any static water supply sources—such as dams and water tanks—with the RFS. These measures could be crucial in the event of a fire emergency.
As the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) forecasts temperatures to reach 35 °C on November 25 and 30 °C on November 26, the community must remain vigilant. Following these dates, temperatures will remain high, with some areas expecting mid-30s again by November 28.
This alert follows a recent incident on November 21, when multiple RFS crews responded swiftly to a header fire near Landervale, burning 27 hectares. Thanks to proactive land management and quick response, firefighters were able to contain the blaze efficiently.
Residents are strongly encouraged to review their bushfire survival plans now to ensure they know how to respond if a fire threatens their homes.
For ongoing updates and resources, visit www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/plan-and-prepare. Stay safe and prepared—fire season is intensifying, and immediate action can save lives.
