Mountains residents now have access to an easy to use online tool that helps assess bushfire risk.
The NSW Rural Fire Service developed the new state-wide program to enable residents to identify whether their home sits within a bushfire prone area, in a bid to reduce damage from bushfires.
The bushfire prone land online mapping tool was created using NSW local councils bushfire prone maps.
The new tool is available at www.rfs.nsw.gov.au. Residents can put in their address and be given a guideline about just what sort of risk is at that address.
NSW RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons announced the new tool last week.
“NSW has more than 1.3 million properties situated on bush fire prone land, and we want to make it as easy as possible for the people living in these areas to prepare for bushfire,” Commissioner Fitzsimmons said.
“Previously, people living in bushfire prone areas would have to source maps from their local council, to determine their risk. For the first time this new tool places the information from every local government area at your fingertips, making it easier and faster to find out if your home is at risk.
“By simply entering your address, the website will tell you if your home is on bushfire prone land.”
NSW Emergency Services minister David Elliott said that the NSW RFS has a number of valuable tools available to help people plan and prepare for bush fires.
“One of the best assets during a bushfire is a well prepared community. If you live in a bushfire prone area, it is your responsibility to make a plan, and get ready. Familiarise yourself with the advice and information available and ensure you are prepared,” he said.
“We may be heading into the cooler months, but now is the perfect time to sit down and discuss with your family what you will do in the event of a fire – well before we see the return of bush fire conditions,” Mr Elliott added.
