The seasonal bushfire outlook by the National Council for fire and emergency services (AFAC) does expect higher than average rainfall this spring in the region, but also warns the wet coupled with warmer spring growth "may see grass and crop fuel loads build during this period".

Read more: 'I couldn't hold a mug,' Balgownie woman's rare disease battle

Illawarra Zone district officer Matt Reeves said the Illawarra may not have been ravaged by fire in recent years but that's left plenty of fuel (twigs, branches, leaves) on the ground.

"It only takes a couple of bad fire weather days for a fire to threaten the community, even if it's only a small number of people," Mr Reeves said.

"Our primary risk for the Illawarra is in the north of the area so Helensburgh, Stanwell Tops, Darkes Forest up around that elevated area ... where the predominant risk by way of threat to people is in the more densely populated area."

Even after periods of rain, he said, if days have high temperatures, low humidity and dry winds from the west, north and north west they easily dry out the landscape ready for ignition.

"We could have two or three weeks of drying weather over summer and a couple of hot windy days - that could be the only event we have but that could be catastrophic for someone because there's going to be a community threatened," Mr Reeves said.

"Which community that is, noone has a crystal ball to tell us that which means we all have an obligation to be prepared."

He said bushfires could happen anywhere, but the northern suburbs where dense forest directly backs onto suburbia is where lives would be most at risk.

Read more: Joy to be found in Wollongong's Crown Street Mall

Grass fires could be just as dangerous, Mr Reeves said, and move far quicker than bushfires.

"One of the challenges with grass fires is the rate of spread which is typically far greater than that of a bushfire because it's a finer fuel, it burns more freely," he said

"Because it's a finer fuel it's influenced quicker with weather patterns. You've only got to look at areas around Foxground and Gerringong, which are still semi-rural. We've got grassland areas leading up into bushland vegetation like Maddens Plains ... it's not the sweeping plains of Hay in NSW but we certainly have a number of grassland areas."

Calderwood captain Chris Bourke has been part of the RFS for 42 years and said one of the biggest problems today was the suburban spread.

"With the opening of the of the Calderwood Estate over the past few years and the constant growth of high density housing getting closer to the foothills of the escarpment, this has changed the direction of the brigade training with focus being directed also to residential property protection by way of better suited equipment such as breathing apparatus," he said.

"The need for each family, regardless of where in Calderwood their home is built, is still to have a fire plan and know how to implement it in the event of an emergency to better help you and us to protect you."

Most house fires sustained during bushfires are due to ember attacks which can travel many kilometres. This is why it's recommended to clean gutters and tidy around homes before the season starts on October 1.

Calderwood, like the 22 other Illawarra, have been using the cooler months to try and reduce fuel loads - particularly around the escarpment.

Hazard reduction burns (not to be confused with "back burning" which is an active firefighting technique used during a bushfire) have been undertaken around the areas of most risk to provide a "direct buffer" to homes and also as a "strategy".

Read more: Wollongong's century-old surf clubs at risk of closure

Mr Reeves said burns undertaken in the water catchment, such as around Woronora Dam, are with the aim to slow down fires traveling from the west and give firefighters "time and ability to work on those fires".

"Whereas a lot of burns we've been doing up in the north of the district are literally across the road from houses and offer a direct barrier, or reduce risk to those properties," he said.

Hazard Reduction Burns have been a contentious issue in the community, but the RFS consults with weather experts from the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) to "look at the variables" and better manage when to do the burns with least risk.

The BOM along with other experts, such as fire behaviour analysts, throughout the fire season to predict when it's likely a fire might occur. This results in fire danger ratings and when Total Fire Bans occur.

The RFS advises everyone should know their own risk and know their plan in the event of an emergency.

www.rfs.nsw.gov.au

Read more: The people fighting loneliness in lockdown

We depend on subscription revenue to support our journalism. If you are able, please subscribe here. If you are already a subscriber, thank you for your support.