With the bushfire season starting early due to dangerously hot and windy conditions, a Total Fire Ban has been declared for the North Coast and Greater Hunter regions today, 6 October 2025, with more areas likely to follow.
The Total Fire Ban, commencing at midnight tonight, covers the following council areas:
- Greater Hunter (EXTREME) – Cessnock, Dungog, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Muswellbrook, Newcastle, Port Stephens, Singleton, Upper Hunter.
- North Coast (EXTREME) – Bellingen, Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie-Hastings, Kempsey, Nambucca, Mid-Coast.
The fire danger ratings for the Far North Coast is currently considered High. Under these conditions, the NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) suggests:
- Be ready to act.
- Be alert for fires in your area.
- Decide what you will do if a fire starts.
- If a fire does start, your life and property may be at risk. The safest option is to avoid bush fire risk areas.
For those facing Extreme fire conditions, the RFS suggests:
- Take action now to protect your life and property.
- Check your bush fire plan and ensure that your property is fire ready.
- If a fire starts, take immediate action.
- If you and your property are not prepared to the highest level, go to a safer location well before the fire impacts.
- Reconsider travel through bush fire risk areas.
The NSW RFS says it may issue a Harvest Safety Alert for areas of heightened risk. Harvest operators should monitor conditions and regularly check that they are operating within guidelines.
No fires may be lit in the open and all fire permits are suspended during a Total Fire Ban. Gas and electric barbeques may be used provided certain conditions are met.
Total Fire Ban rules and a map of current Total Fire Ban areas, updated daily, are available here.
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