A backyard burn in Newport quickly turned into a bushfire, prompting an urgent response from Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW).
The fire started shortly before 1:30 pm at Bush Rangers Hill. The resident lost control of the backyard burn, allowing flames to spread into the adjacent bushland.
Fire Crews Battle the Blaze
Fire crews from Mona Vale, Avalon, and Narrabeen stations rushed to the scene and saw white smoke rising from the trees atop the steep hill. With no direct street access, firefighters navigated through private properties to reach the fire.
A previous hazard reduction burn conducted by FRNSW in the past year helped limit the fire’s intensity. Firefighters contained the blaze around 30 minutes, preventing further spread.
The fire burned approximately 150 square metres of bushland before crews brought it under control.
Before emergency crews arrived, the resident tried to put out the flames using a garden hose. Firefighters fully extinguished the fire and secured the area by 2:45 pm. Fortunately, no injuries or property damage occurred.
Regulations Around Backyard Burns
Newport and the wider Northern Beaches area enforce strict regulations on backyard burning. Under NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) rules, open burning remains prohibited unless residents obtain a permit from the local council or NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS).
More information on backyard burn regulations is available on the NSW RFS and EPA websites.
Firefighters Highlight Hazard Reduction Benefits
Fire crews credit the previous hazard reduction burn for minimising fuel loads, reducing the fire’s speed and intensity. Without these efforts, the situation could have been much worse.
With fire season in full swing, responsible fire management remains essential to protecting homes, bushland, and local communities.
Published 30-Jan-2025