Firies warn residents to assess bushfire risk and prepare a plan before the air is thick with smoke and your gutters are full of leaves

UPPER Hunter Local Government Areas began their Bush Fire Danger Period on Tuesday, 1 September.

The NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) is warning that now is the time to prepare.

The RFS is urging all residents to take 10 minutes to think about the bushfire risk you, your property and your community face.

The plea is to do it now – not when a bushfire threatens.

The RFS has an online tool called My Fire Plan which will help people to work out what to do if a bushfire threatens. It can be found at www.myfireplan.com.au

The RFS says another important consideration is the threat of travelling embers, which may cross a large distance and find their way onto your property.

Some proactive and preventative measures people can take include: trim vegetation around buildings; mow grass and lawns; remove leaves, twigs and debris; clear your gutters and prepare hoses, pumps and water supplies.

Later in the month, Get Ready Weekend will be hosted by RFS groups around NSW

During these, people can receive free information, practical advice and resources.

For more information, visit www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/news-and-media/get-ready-weekend-2026.