Catastrophic Fire Danger

Catastrophic Fire Danger

10 November 2019

Catastrophic fire danger is forecast for Greater Sydney, Illawarra/Shoalhaven and Greater Hunter areas on Tuesday. Large areas of the state are expected to see Severe or Extreme fire danger. Know what to do to reduce your risk.

In response, Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Catholic Primary School at 64 Kendall Street West Pymble will be closed on Tuesday, 12 November 2019.

It is also possible that parish offices and buildings located in and about at risk locations will be closed. Churches may also be closed and masses cancelled.

Dangerous Fire Conditions Forecast for Tuesday, 12 November

The fire danger is now expected to be worse than originally forecast. Catastrophic is the highest level of bush fire danger. Homes are not designed to withstand fire under these conditions. If a fire starts and takes hold during Catastrophic fire danger conditions, lives and homes will be at risk.

Advice for people in areas of Catastrophic fire danger include:

  • Avoid bush fire prone areas. A safer area may be a large town or city, shopping centres or facilities well away from bushland areas.
  • Schools in identified high risk areas will be closed. Schools will notify affected students. Start making arrangements now.
  • If you are unable to leave, identify a safe location which may be nearby. This may include a Neighbourhood Safer Place (see the link below).

Large areas of the state are also forecast to experience Severe and Extreme fire danger. This includes in the north coast and northern NSW areas, where there is a large number of fires already burning. These fires will not be contained in time and will threaten lives and properties.

A statewide total fire ban has been declared for all areas of NSW for all of Monday and Tuesday.

NSW Rural Fire Service information

Neighbourhood Safer Places, a place of last resort during a bush fire emergency