Maxwell Bush Fire Brigade

13/03/2026

🔥 FIRE SAFETY REMINDER FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS 🔥

Recent incidents have highlighted the importance of using fire safely and legally. Over the past few weeks, crews from the NSW Rural Fire Service have responded to several fires started by activities such as driving vehicles, welding and using angle grinders in long dry grass without firefighting equipment. In one case, a fire spread rapidly and nearly resulted in the loss of a home.

This week, another incident involved a landholder conducting a burn-off without a required fire permit.

⚠️ Under the Rural Fires Act 1997, activities that may cause a fire must be carried out safely, and a fire permit is required for burning during the Bush Fire Danger Period.

In each of these recent incidents, the persons responsible were issued Penalty Infringement Notices ranging from $660 to $1,100.

✅ Please take precautions when using equipment that produces sparks.
✅ Always check local conditions and restrictions.
✅ Obtain a fire permit before conducting any burn-offs.
✅ Notify all neighbours and the RFS 24 hours prior to burning off.

These rules exist to protect lives, homes, and our community. If you see fire that is unattended or out of control, call 000 immediately.

Let’s all do our part to keep our community safe. 🚒

📸 The Daily Advertiser

26/02/2026

🚨 Riverina Residents – Heads Up! 🚨

From Sunday 1 March, residents in Wagga Wagga, Coolamon, Junee, and Lockhart LGAs may notice an increase in smoke and fires. This is due to fire permits opening, allowing farmers to safely prepare their properties for next season’s crops.

✅ Important: Only call 000 if you see a fire that is unattended or out of control.

Thank you for your understanding and staying safe! 🌾🔥

📷 ABC News

23/02/2026

🔥 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐀𝐯𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝟏 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 🔥

From Sunday 1 March, fire permits will be available for residents within the Coolamon, Wagga Wagga, Lockhart and Junee LGAs.

If you’re planning to burn, please make sure you understand and comply with the permit conditions:

✅ No burning before 2pm
✅ Fires must be fully extinguished before being left unattended
✅ A 3 metre fire break must be in place around the burn
✅ A minimum of 2 fire units, each with at least 1,000 litres of water, must be on site
✅ No burning of timber

These conditions are in place to help protect our communities, our volunteers, and your property.

To apply for a permit and submit your notification, please use the NSW RFS online Fire Permit & Notification Portal:
👉 https://nswrfsprod.service-now.com/guardian_csp

If you need to conduct a burn, apply early and ensure you’re properly prepared before lighting up.

Let’s work together to keep our region safe. 🔥

09/02/2026

REMINDER FIRE PERMITS REQUIRED FOR THE BUSH FIRE DANGER PERIOD
With the recent easing of conditions and rainfall, we are seeing an increase in residents conducting pile burning to reduce the levels of natural, fallen vegetation on their properties. A reminder that during the Bush Fire Danger Period (nominally 1st October until 31st March) Fire permits will be required in our area until the 31st of March 2026.
What you need to know:
- You must apply for a fire permit during the bush fire danger period, this must be approved before lighting.
- You are required to give a minimum of 24hrs notice to your neighbours and the NSW RFS before lighting your burn.
- The permit holder must be present and have the permit on their person at the fire until it is fully extinguished.
- Permit holders must follow all the conditions outlined in the permit, keeping in mind permits may be varied, suspended or cancelled depending on conditions, and are automatically suspended on high fire risk and Total Fire Ban days.
Important links:
- Fire Permit Application – https://tinyurl.com/y2vk83bm
- Notify us of your planned burn – www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/notify
Be prepared and follow the rules to help prevent bushfires this season.

31/01/2026

🔥 TOTAL FIRE BAN - SUNDAY 1 FEB 2026🔥

An EXTREME Fire Danger Rating has been declared for the Eastern Riverina Weather District, including Junee, Wagga Wagga, Lockhart and Coolamon, tomorrow.

A TOTAL FIRE BAN is also in place.

🚫 What this means:
• No fires in the open – this includes burning off, campfires and fire pits
• No solid fuel BBQs (gas/electric BBQs permitted with conditions)
• No grinding, welding or other activities that could cause sparks in the open

⚠️ Fires are likely to spread rapidly and be extremely difficult to control.
🔥 Any fire that starts could pose a serious threat to life and property.

✔️ Review your Bush Fire Survival Plan
✔️ Avoid activities that could start a fire
✔️ Stay informed via rfs.nsw.gov.au or the Fires Near Me NSW app

If you see smoke or fire, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.

31/01/2026

Tomorrow total fire ban and extreme day

25/01/2026

24/01/2026

🔥 TOTAL FIRE BAN – SUNDAY 25 JAN 2026 🔥

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: A Total Fire Ban means no fires in the open. These bans are declared to reduce the risk of fires starting and spreading in dangerous conditions.

During a Total Fire Ban you must not:
🚫 Light, maintain or use a fire in the open
🚫 Carry out any activity in the open that causes, or is likely to cause, a fire
🚫 Undertake general purpose hot works such as welding, grinding, gas cutting, or any activity that produces sparks or flames in the open

🚜 Machinery use
The NSW RFS strongly recommends reconsidering activities such as tractor use or slashing, as they can start fires. A Harvest Safety Alert may be issued under certain conditions.

🍳 What cooking is allowed?
✅Electric BBQs: Allowed if supervised at all times and no combustible material is within 2 metres
✅Gas BBQs: Allowed if supervised, with water available, no combustible material within 2 metres, and located near a dwelling or in an approved picnic area
❌Solid fuel BBQs & pizza ovens: Not allowed (wood, charcoal or heat beads)

Total Fire Bans help protect life, property and the environment.
Please plan ahead and stay fire safe. 🔥

24/01/2026

🔥 TOTAL FIRE BAN – SUNDAY 25 JANUARY 2026 🔥

The Eastern Riverina Weather District will be under a HIGH Fire Danger Rating with a TOTAL FIRE BAN in force on Sunday 25 January 2026.

This applies to the following LGAs:
📍Coolamon
📍Wagga Wagga
📍Lockhart
📍Junee

During a TOTAL FIRE BAN you must not:
❌Light, maintain or use a fire in the open
❌Carry out any activity in the open that causes, or is likely to cause, a fire
❌Undertake general purpose hot works, including welding, grinding, gas cutting, or any activity that produces a spark or flame in the open

Please take conditions seriously and do your part to prevent fires.
Stay informed, stay safe, and report fires immediately by calling 000.

08/01/2026

🔥 EXTREME FIRE DANGER – TOMORROW 🔥

The Fire Danger Rating is EXTREME for the Eastern Riverina Weather District on Friday 9 January, including Coolamon, Junee, Lockhart and Wagga Wagga.

A Total Fire Ban will be in effect, meaning:
🚫 No welding
🚫 No angle grinding
🚫 No fires of any kind

Thinking about stubble mulching or slashing, please don't 🤔

Small actions can have serious consequences under these conditions. Please help protect lives, property and our community by following the restrictions and staying fire safe.

Coolamon Shire Council City of Wagga Wagga Lockhart Shire Council Junee Shire Council Fire and Rescue NSW Zone Regional South 3 Riverina Police District

18/12/2025

Due to deteriorating weather conditions today, 18 December 2025 landholders undertaking harvest operations in the Wagga Wagga, Junee, Lockhart and Coolamon LGAs are advised to stop and check local weather conditions against the Grain Harvest Guide before deciding to continue. www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/plan-and-prepare/farm-fire-safety/grain-harvesting-guide