Gospers Mountain Fire Status

ALERT LEVEL:
The Gospers Mountain fire is now contained!
Sunday, 19th January 2020

Special Message from St Albans Brigade to the Community
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​To the Community of the Macdonald Valley and Beyond

We would like to thank you all on behalf of our brigade and those who stood with us during this time for the effort you put in to support us, including brigades from near and far, other emergency service and land management agencies, your neighbours and even visiting strangers caught up in the events of the last two months or so.

But do not be complacent, as we are not even half way through the fire season yet and the fires continue in some areas.  The recent rain will most likely destabilise some trees still standing .... on hillsides, creek and river banks and beside the road verges.  As always we encourage you to be aware of possible dangers and be vigilant accordingly.

Please consider coming to join us at our long overdue postponed Christmas Party that we have re-named our St Albans Community Party on Saturday, 25th January 2020.  There we will celebrate the end of the fires in our area and confirm the spirit of our greater St Albans Community to rally and support each other through thick and thin.  Please see the flyer with this message and we look forward to seeing you there.

With love and gratitude
Thank you so much,
St Albans Volunteer Bushfire Brigade


​Important ​Fire Information

Remember, in these times of hot, dry and windy weather, it is important for you to monitor local conditions and stay up to date:

Fire Danger Rating Information
Check in for Fire Danger Rating Information and updates for wherever you are, at NSW RFS (St Albans/Macdonald Valley is part of the Greater Sydney Area). ​www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/fire-information/fdr-and-tobans

Fires Near Me
Stay up to date with current incidents via the Fires Near Me NSW smartphone app, or at RFS website:
www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/fire-information/fires-near-me
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Follow the RFS on their Facebook page for announcements and information www.facebook.com/nswrfs/.

If you have radio reception, then be aware that the ABC provides emergency updates on Radio 702 AM.

Be Aware

​Remember, in these times of hot weather, check in for Fire Danger Rating Information and updates at NSW RFS and make it part of your My Fire Plan mindset.
• Web:  https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/fire-information
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nswrfs/

​How fireproof is your plan?  Find out in five minutes at
www.myfireplan.com.au #myfireplan #nswrfs
 
Special Announcement  >>>>
   

We are on track with planning to bring you
St Albans RFS Pioneer Trail Run
12/09/2020

We were disappointed about postponing our inaugural event last year and hope you understood.

The extra time however will enable us to improve all of the courses to make sure that you will be challenged and still have the fun we promised.  We will still have three courses (including a timed half marathon distance for serious runners).  We will also be exploring the possibility of a longer cross country trail run through the St Albans Common in a future event (more details later). 

Tickets will be available shortly so we hope you will keep this date free and come and explore our Valley.  Please visit our Fundraising page over coming months for more details.  
How to use our website
For information on what's happening in the brigade, please visit the Brigade Business page. 

The Bush Telegraph page is for our community bloggers to post any helpful info relevant for our community.

The Brigade members area is password protected and is where you will find information and documents specific to our brigade.
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During times of emergency, please use the official RFS resources as your first port of call. 
For those of you that use Facebook to keep up to date with the latest information on the Hawkesbury RFS, go to www.facebook.com/HawkesburyRFS, and follow us at https://www.facebook.com/StAlbansRFS/​.
To check the current Fire Ban status for the Hawkesbury (Sydney) and to check the interactive Current Fires and Incidents map go to www.rfs.nsw.gov.au 
Check out other useful resources like Google Crisis Map and the ESRI Bushfire map which has an excellent underlying topographical map.

If you have an Android or Apple Smartphone or Tablet download the Fires Near Me app in iTunes or Australian Android Apps.  
Click here to download a copy of the plan and remember to visit NSW RFS website for more information to help with preparing your plan http://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/plan-and-prepare/bush-fire-survival-plan
Personal Protection Equipment
Have you got all of your PPE?  Click on the image to find out more.  If you are missing something, let Jane Blacker know and she'll get you your replacement equipment.

During the Fire Season, usually between October 1st and March 31st, fire permits are required for all fires regardless of the danger rating.

Fire Permits & Pile Burns - Before you light a fire please check the NSW RFS Guide to ensure that you follow the correct procedure.  For more information please go to our Fire Permit Page
AFAC - Industry Safety Advice - PPC
The Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council (AFAC) has issued the following Industry Safety Advice dated 23 February 2015 regarding very recent independent research conducted by CSIRO into the assessment of contaminants in bushfire personal protective clothing (PPC). 
Please click here for more information 

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