The NSW Rural Fire Service has declared the fire risk in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven as catastrophic for Tuesday.
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What does this mean?
The classification was introduced after Victoria’s Black Saturday fires in 2009 and is the highest risk rating the RFS issues.
According to the RFS it means that any bushfire that starts has the potential to cause significant loss of life and destroy many homes.
The RFS advises residents to:
- Check your bush fire survival plan - now.
- Monitor the fire and weather situation in any way you can: through www.rfs.nsw.gov.au and www.bom.gov.au, or the media.
- Call triple zero if you see a fire.
The RFS also advises that if you are in an area of catastrophic fire danger:
- Leaving is the safest option for your survival - finalise your options for relocation
- The NSW Rural Fire Service recommends that you leave the night before.
- Prepare to leave - check your bush fire emergency kit.