Bushfire Hazard Reduction - October

Published on 17 September 2025

A firefighter in yellow protective gear monitors controlled burning in a forest. Small flames and smoke are visible, highlighting fire management efforts.

Bushfire Hazard Reduction - Loyalty Road and Elm Place, North Rocks.

8am to 5pm Saturday 4 October

On behalf of City of Parramatta Council, Fire + Rescue NSW (FRNSW) will conduct a hazard reduction burn around bushland areas in North Rocks – 22 Loyalty Road to Elm Place (High Voltage Powerline easement).

Controlled hazard reduction burns are part of Bush Fire Management Annual Hazard Reduction Program, and are implemented to protect people, property, and the environment from bushfire.

Hazard reduction is just one way of preparing for bush fires – it doesn't remove the threat of fire, and it doesn't remove the need for you and your family to be prepared.

Hazard reduction and you

There are various kinds of hazard reduction activities including controlled burning, mechanical clearing like slashing undergrowth, and reducing the ground fuel (shrubs, grasses etc) by hand.

FRNSW may conduct any or all these activities during the notification period from mid-September to early-December. FRNSW may undertake program in multiple locations over several days in the notification period, from 8am to 5pm.

As hazard burns are subject to specific weather conditions. While residents who may be affected by FRNSW activities were provided with general information (via letter), an additional notice with scheduled dates will be issued with a minimum 48 hours’ notice before any reduction burn.

Hazard reduction activities may include the use of a helicopter and a Fire + Rescue drone. These activities, along with the burn, mean that there are actions for residents to take before, during, and after a burn.

Health concerns, smoke:

Controlled burns are planned and designed to have minimal impact on the environment and the community. While the best information and forecasts available are used, sometimes it’s difficult to predict where smoke will spread and what kind of impact it will have on the community.

If you have asthma or are likely to experience problems relating to smoke, think now about what you’ll do, when provided with 48 hours’ notice, and make appropriate plans.

During the burn, if you experience any difficulties, reduce outdoor activities. If shortness of breath or coughing develops, take your reliever medicine and seek medical advice. 

In the case of an emergency or life-threatening situation, call triple zero (000).

Prepare for the burn and the bushfire season

Fire fighters need your help to protect your property. To support FRNSW carry out essential bushfire hazard reduction work, residents immediately adjacent to the burn area are required to carry out property maintenance to reduce the risk of embers causing damage to their homes.

  • clear vegetation and leaf litter away from fences, storage containers, sheds, power poles and machinery
  • clear gutters of leaves and other debris
  • maintain a clear area near combustible materials such as wood piles
  • maintain an area of mown grass around residential dwelling & buildings.

Safety precautions during the burn:

Fire agencies and land managers will work together to minimise the impact of smoke from hazard reduction burning. However, residents should:

  • keep doors and windows closed to prevent smoke entering homes 
  • keep outdoor furniture, trampolines etc. under cover to prevent ember burns
  • retract plastic or synthetic pool covers to prevent ember damage
  • remove washing from clothes lines
  • ensure pets are inside or have a protected area.

In the area on a burn day
Once a date has been confirmed, please obey the instructions of traffic controllers and Emergency Services:

  • vehicles must slow down, keep windows up, turn headlights on
  • people must keep away from the burn area for their own safety
  • never fly drones or Remote Piloted Aircraft near bush fires or hazard reductions, where aircraft may be operating. Penalties apply.

Post burn:

  • be aware that some areas may be closed for some time after the burn
  • be aware that smoke may continue to rise in patches from the burnt area and from embers for numerous days after the burn 
  • fire crews from FRNSW will be conducting patrols for some days after the burn.

More information:

City of Parramatta will provide more information when FRNSW confirms burn dates.

Please see www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/fire-information/fires-near-me for updates.

For information on this activity and future fires in your area, download the Hazards Near Me app for your phone: https://www.nsw.gov.au/emergency/hazards-near-me-app

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