New South Wales has accelerated hazard reduction burns by 21 per cent in the past year as authorities warn that this summer will bring challenging fire conditions, with above-average temperatures and below-average rainfall expected. The Bureau of Meteorology confirmed El Niño conditions earlier this year, setting the stage for what emergency officials describe as a "long, hot summer" that could test the state's preparedness.
NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Trent Curtin said improved weather conditions allowed the agency to complete 124,000 hectares of hazard reduction burning across the state since July last year. "Over recent years, we've seen reduced windows for hazard reduction burning," he said. "We've seen increased rain, that's increased the amount of fuel across our landscapes." While pleased with the progress, Curtin expressed concern about the forecast conditions. "We recognise that this high-risk season involves sometimes storms as well as fires," he said.
Agencies Mobilize Ahead of Danger Period
More than 15 organisations attended a bushfire roundtable conference, including the NSW Rural Fire Service, Fire & Rescue NSW, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, and the Forestry Corporation. Environment Minister Penny Sharpe emphasized the importance of collaboration between agencies ahead of what's expected to be a severe season. "As we see the fires that are raging across the northern hemisphere, we know that this could be us in the coming months," she said. "We are alert, we're not alarmed, but we are prepared."
Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said agencies would seize every opportunity to continue hazard reduction burning before summer arrives. "We've been going hard," he said. "We can't control the weather, but what we can do is ensure that we're as best prepared as possible." The bushfire danger period starts on October 1 for the majority of NSW, with some northern areas expected to enter the danger period earlier.
Drought Compounds Fire Risk
According to the Department of Primary Industries, about 37 per cent of NSW was in drought or drought-affected at the end of July, adding another layer of vulnerability to rural communities already facing elevated fire danger. Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty said her team was working with farmers to ensure they had materials on their properties to assist with firefighting, as well as plans to escape potential blazes. The Australasian Fire Authorities Council is expected to publish its spring bushfire outlook later this month.
Residents are being urged to conduct mechanical hazard reduction on their properties, including cleaning out gutters, trimming trees and keeping grasses low. Curtin said people should prepare their properties for the upcoming fire season and create bushfire plans. "We want to make sure that people are cleaning up their properties, that they're developing their bushfire survival plans," he said.
Urban Communities Also at Risk
Dib warned that people living in urban areas shouldn't be complacent about bushfire risk. "Sometimes people who live in urban areas make the mistake of thinking that bushfire won't come to them because they're living a long way away," he said. "There's a history of embers just jumping ahead of the fire, in some cases up to 1 kilometre." He urged people, wherever they live, to take precautions.
Why This Matters:
The combination of El Niño conditions, drought affecting more than a third of the state, and increased fuel loads creates dangerous conditions that threaten both rural and urban communities. While government agencies have increased hazard reduction efforts, the compressed window for safe burning highlights how climate variability is making fire preparedness more challenging. The emphasis on inter-agency coordination and community preparation reflects lessons learned from past fire seasons, but the forecast conditions mean vulnerable communities face another summer of elevated risk. Urban residents, who may underestimate their exposure to bushfire danger, need to understand that ember attacks can carry fire far beyond the fire front itself. The state's agricultural sector, already strained by drought conditions, faces compounded threats that could affect both livelihoods and food security. Public investment in hazard reduction and emergency preparedness remains essential to protecting lives and property as fire seasons grow longer and more intense.