Tomorrow, Tuesday, 12 November 2019 has been classified by the NSW Rural Fire Service as a Catastrophic Fire Danger Day for Greater Sydney – Greater Hunter.
This is the first time since new Fire Danger Ratings were introduced in 2009 that a Catastrophic Fire Danger has been forecast for Sydney, the Mayor of Hawkesbury, Councillor Barry Calvert said.
“Please ensure you have a bushfire survival plan in place. Large parts of the Hawkesbury are classified as Bush Fire Prone Areas,” Mayor Calvert said.
“At this stage we do not have any advice from the NSW Rural Fire Service about evacuation centres for residents or animals. We encourage you to continue to prepare and keep up to date with advice from the NSW Rural Fire Service.
“For parents and carers of school aged children regarding potential school closures and operational updates, please stay in touch with your local school and the Department of Education website which lists all school closures including non-government schools,” he said.
The Department of Education website is https://education.nsw.gov.au/public-schools/school-safety
“Hawkesbury City Council is actively supporting the NSW Rural Fire Service and other State Agencies in preparing for tomorrow. As soon as we have any new information, we will pass it onto our community via Council’s website www.hawkesbury.nsw.gov.au and social media.”
The NSW Rural Fie Service states that on a Catastrophic Fire Danger Day:
- For survival, leaving early is the only option. Leave bush fire prone areas the night before or early in the day – do not just wait and see what happens.
- Make a decision about when you will leave, where you will go, how you will get there and when you will return.
- Homes are not designed to withstand fires in catastrophic conditions so you should leave early.
For quick and easy information on preparing a bushfire survival plan, go to www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/resources/bush-fire-survival-plan
