NSW RFS - Alpine/Aylmerton Brigade

04/09/2026

⚠️ Increased Wind Forecast ⚠️

Winds are forecast to increase across the Wingecarribee Shire Council and Wollondilly Shire Council areas today and into tomorrow, with peak gusts expected to exceed 50km/hr tomorrow, combined with warmer temperatures.

These conditions increase the risk of recent pile burns reigniting and escaping, particularly burns conducted over the past few weeks.

🔥 Landholders are urged to:
• Postpone all planned pile burning until conditions ease.
• Regularly check any pile burns conducted in recent weeks.
• Ensure burnt piles are completely extinguished, including checking for heat or smouldering material beneath the surface.
• Continue monitoring old burn sites while strong winds persist.

Remember, fines can apply if you fail to notify the RFS before lighting a fire or if your fire escapes your property.

If you see an unattended fire, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.

🚫 Don’t be the fire risk to your community.

More info: https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/plan-and-prepare/farm-fire-safety/safeburning

01/09/2026

Bush Fire Danger Period to start on 14 September 2026

The Bush Fire Danger Period of the Wingecarribee Shire Council and Wollondilly Shire Council areas has been brought forward to 14 September due to prevailing dry conditions. This means that a Fire Permit will be required from 14 September to light or maintain fire in the open.

Residents and land holders should also ensure they understand the rules around the use of fire. Along with required fire permits, you must also notify your local fire authority and neighbours of your intent to burn 24 hours in advance.

To apply for a Fire Permit visit www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/notify and be sure to give us as much notice as possible as a Fire Permit Officer will need to visit your property prior to issuing a permit.

Know the risks for your area, have a bush fire survival plan and discuss what you and your family will do if threatened by fire.

For more information, visit the RFS website: www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/BFDP

fans

30/08/2026

Over the last two days members from over the southern highlands team have completed the Structural firefighting course at the Kerslake training facility.
This course is designed to provide the skills and knowledge to safely and effectively undertake internal Structural firefighting.
Wearing Breathing Apparatus.
It's fantastic seeing volunteers giving up their time to gain valuable skills to help protect our communities.
Well done to everyone involved!
Wilton Volunteer Rural Fire Brigade Tahmoor Rural Fire Brigade
NSW RFS - Wingello Brigade
NSW RFS - Colo Vale Brigade
Appin Rural Fire Brigade
NSW RFS Southern Highlands
Judy Hannan MP - Member for Wollondilly
Sara Moylan. Councillor at Wingecarribee Shire Council
The Southern Wire

09/08/2026

Over the weekend 8 members from across the southern highlands team have completed the Structural firefighting course at the Kerslake training facility (Alpine station)
This course is run over 3 days and gives students the skills and knowledge to safely and effectively undertake internal Structural firefighting.
It's fantastic seeing volunteers giving up their time to gain valuable skills to help protect our communities.
Well done to everyone involved!
Appin Rural Fire Brigade Mittagong Rural Fire Brigade Robertson Rural Fire Brigade Wilton Volunteer Rural Fire Brigade Menangle Rural Fire Brigade Alpine/Aylmerton Rural Fire Brigade
NSW RFS Southern Highlands Judy Hannan MP - Member for Wollondilly The Southern Wire

28/07/2026

Just an update on James.
He has arrived at the Coyote Fire in Oregon.
It's fantastic seeing our members assisting our international friends in their time of need.
Stay safe everyone!
NSW RFS Southern Highlands
Judy Hannan MP - Member for Wollondilly
Sara Moylan. Councillor at Wingecarribee Shire Council

24/07/2026

Our Deputy Captain James is headed to the USA to assist with the current bushfires.
Stay safe Jimmy your doing us all proud.

This morning, a contingent of 26 NSW firefighting personnel, including our own Deputy Group Captain James Koens from the NSW RFS - Alpine/Aylmerton Brigade, will deploy to the United States to support ongoing wildfire operations. The NSW firefighters are part of a larger contingent of 74 personnel from across Australia and New Zealand and are expected to be assigned to fires in the north-west region of the US.

The deployment includes incident management specialists, field supervisors, heavy plant and aviation specialists. They will be deployed for five weeks and will play a vital role in supporting firefighting operations, drawing on their specialised skills and experience managing large bush fires in Australia.

We wish all personnel deploying a safe journey and thank them for dedicating their time and expertise. We look forward to their safe return in September.

14/06/2026

Over the weekend at the Kerslake training facility at the Alpine station, 11 members from across the Southern Highlands team have completed their Breathing Apparatus wearers course.
This course gives them the necessary knowledge and skills to wear BA when attending car fires, truck fires, external firefighting at structural fires and other fire related incidents.
It is great to see our volunteers giving up their time to gain valuable skills to help protect our communities.
Well done to everyone on your great teamwork 👏.
NSW RFS - Alpine/Aylmerton Brigade Wilton Volunteer Rural Fire Brigade NSW RFS - Wingello Brigade Bargo Volunteer Rural Fire Brigade Menangle Rural Fire Brigade Buxton Rural Fire Brigade
NSW RFS Southern Highlands
Sara Moylan. Councillor at Wingecarribee Shire Council Judy Hannan MP - Member for Wollondilly Rachel Russell - Wingecarribee

06/06/2026

We are extremely disappointed to discover that a hose reel has been stolen from the wall of our station.
This isn't just theft of property it is theft of equipment that our local community has helped fund to help our volunteers protect our communities.
This was bolted to the brick wall!
If anyone has any information could you please contact the The Hume Police District.

NSW RFS Southern Highlands
Judy Hannan MP - Member for Wollondilly
Sara Moylan. Councillor at Wingecarribee Shire Council
Rachel Russell - Wingecarribee

24/05/2026

Last weekend Alpine RFB participated in an interagency emergency response exercise at Mittagong Airfield. This exercise was designed to test and evaluate an emergency response to an aircraft incident at Mittagong Airfield.

The simulation utilised a disused aircraft, live role players, fire and smoke to simulate real world conditions. Participating agencies included NSW RFS - Mittagong Brigade, Southern Highlands Communications Brigade, Fire And Rescue NSW Mittagong Fire Station, NSW SES Wingecarribee Unit, NSW Ambulance, and The Hume Police District.

Mittagong Airfield has a long standing relationship with local emergency management agencies playing a pivotal role in supporting RFS aviation operations in the district.

24/05/2026

Last weekend Alpine RFB participated in an interagency emergency response exercise at Mittagong Airfield. This exercise was designed to test and evaluate an emergency response to an aircraft incident at Mittagong Airfield.

The simulation utilised a disused aircraft, live role players, fire and smoke to simulate real world conditions. Participating agencies included NSW RFS - Mittagong Brigade, Southern Highlands Communications Brigade, Fire And Rescue NSW Mittagong Fire Station, NSW SES Wingecarribee Unit, NSW Ambulance, and The Hume Police District.

Mittagong Airfield has a long standing relationship with local emergency management agencies playing a pivotal role in supporting RFS aviation operations in the district.