Communities across the North Coast and Mid North Coast are a key focus of a new state government taskforce aimed at accelerating hazard reduction and strengthening bushfire preparedness.
Taskforce Fire Guard is coordinating agencies and resources to target high-risk areas, with hazard reduction burns underway across parts of the coast as favourable conditions create a window for action. The effort is designed to reduce fuel loads and better protect communities ahead of future fire seasons.
Emergency Services Minister Jihad Dib said the taskforce would help ensure resources were directed where they were needed most.
“Taskforce Fire Guard brings agencies together to ensure we are making the most of every opportunity to reduce bushfire risk and protect communities,” he said.
“It will strengthen how we plan and deliver hazard reduction across the state, particularly as weather conditions allow work to increase.
“This is a commonsense approach to hazard reduction that brings all agencies together with a sole focus of coordinated and planned hazard reduction activities.
“This is about making sure every part of the system is working together, using the best available information, to reduce bush fire risk and protect lives and communities across NSW.”
RFS Commissioner Trent Curtin said coastal regions were facing growing challenges.
“We’re dealing with higher fuel loads and increasingly narrow windows to safely carry out hazard reduction,” he said.
“This taskforce allows us to better prioritise and coordinate work across agencies, focusing effort where it will have the greatest operational impact.
“Hazard reduction is one of the most effective ways to reduce bushfire risk, and we will take advantage of favourable conditions wherever possible to safely carry out this work across multiple regions.
“While people may see or smell smoke, these burns are carefully planned and closely monitored to ensure community safety.”
Fire and Rescue NSW Acting Commissioner Mick Morris said the taskforce would enhance coordination while supporting existing operations.
“Task Force Fire Guard is about strengthening how agencies work together to deliver hazard reduction burns where it will make the greatest difference to community safety,” he said.
“It does not replace existing planning or command arrangements, rather it supports them by improving coordination, situational awareness and access to specialist capability, enabling agencies to take advantage of the narrow windows available when conditions are right.
“Fire and Rescue NSW’s contribution is focused on the urban interface and structure risk, supporting our endorsed bushfire mitigation plans and safe integration with our broader emergency response.”
Residents on the North Coast and Mid North Coast have been advised to expect smoke during planned burns and to monitor conditions through the Hazards Near Me app, follow health advice and take care while driving.
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