Six Illawarra fire crews will open their doors from Saturday as part of the state-wide Get Ready Weekend. 

RFS Illawarra operational officer Patrick Grady said firefighters would be on hand to help residents devise their bushfire survival plans. 

They would also advise on ways to keep a property fire-safe, such as by making sure the lawn is maintained, the gutters cleared and combustibles are moved a safe distance from the home. 

“There’s always going to be the risk of a dangerous fire; this is where we urge the public to ensure their property’s really well defendable,” Mr Grady said. 

“That’s what helps us because there’s never going to be enough trucks for every house. That’s just one of the things that will never be.

“But if people have their homes in a state of readiness, then one truck can defend a street or 4-5 houses.” 

The fire season comes after a drier than usual winter, which has already resulted in several serious fires. 

“We had next to no rain and what rain we’ve had is already gone, so the ground is really dry and parched," Mr Grady said.  

“We won’t have the moisture in the ground, therefore fires will be able to spread further and move faster.”

Get Ready Weekend events include firefighting equipment displays, information stands and workshops on Saturday (Stanwell Park shops; Knox Park, Austinmer; Farmborough Heights Fire Station; Bunnings Warehouse Albion Park; Gerringong Fire Station) and Sunday (Kevin Walsh Oval, Jamberoo). 

Visit the Get Ready Weekend page on the RFS website for event times.