Bridgewater Country Fire Service

05/05/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/1B3EGRPEKc/

Last night was the darkest night ever experienced by Marine Rescue NSW.

Marine Rescue NSW volunteers answer the call for help 24/7 and last night six members from Marine Rescue Ballina did just that. They launched with a single mission, to save lives on the water and assist a yacht, reported to be in difficulty off the South Ballina break wall.

Tragically, two of our volunteers lost their lives during the response.

Marine Rescue NSW Commissioner Todd Andrews said the devastating loss is a solemn reminder of the risks faced by volunteers who serve their communities.

“These two men were serving their local community and have made the ultimate sacrifice to help others.

“Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of the deceased, their fellow crew members, the brave radio operators who handled the difficult communications during the incident, the entire Marine Rescue NSW family and the wider Ballina community during this incredibly difficult time.

“We are supporting our volunteers and their families through professional counselling and chaplaincy support.

“We ask that the privacy of those involved and their families be respected during this difficult time,” Commissioner Andrews said.

30/03/2026

Tomorrow’s Extreme Fire Danger is a reminder that we are still in Fire Danger Season. Remain alert and be safe.

20/02/2026

📢 Bridgewater CFS Siren – A Quick Community Reminder

We know many people in Bridgewater and Mt George listen for our siren, especially during fire season. We really appreciate how seriously our community takes bushfire safety.

Here’s a reminder of how our local siren works.

Please note: this applies to Bridgewater. Other brigades may operate differently.

🕖 Monday 7:00 pm – Weekly Test

You’ll hear a short siren every Monday at 7:00 pm.

This is just our weekly test to make sure everything is working properly. No action is needed.

🔔 If You Hear the Siren at Any Other Time

It means there is a genuine bushfire concern affecting our area.

We only use the siren for bushfire threats that may impact the wider community. It is not used for road crashes, trees down, or routine callouts.

We deliberately keep it rare — so that if it sounds outside of 7pm Monday night, you know it’s important.

If you hear it:

• Pause and take notice
• Check official information straight away
• Activate your bushfire plan if needed
• Talk with your household / workplace about your next steps

The siren is an attention signal. It’s designed to prompt you to seek information from official sources such as the South Australian Country Fire Service website, emergency apps, and ABC Radio.

No single system should ever be relied on alone.

Bridgewater and Mt George sit in a high bushfire risk area. The most important protection you have is a clear, written bushfire plan that suits your family, your property and your circumstances — and that you’ve talked through before a fire starts.

Early decisions are safer decisions.

We’ll continue reviewing how we use the siren each season to make sure it works for our community.

Stay prepared. Stay informed. And thank you for working with us to keep our local community safe.

For bushfire planning information:

03/02/2026

Yesterday was a big day at the Deep Ck fire for our crew. Also a few other local brigades participating.

Called @ around 1015am & returning around midnight made for some tired crew. Then some fresh faces into our same truck again today along with a couple of neighbouring CFS members . Here are a few photos.
Aldgate Country Fire Service Stirling Country Fire Service
Upper Sturt CFS
Mylor Country Fire Service
Bradbury Country Fire Service
Sorry if we forgot any brigade.

29/01/2026

Air support inbound? Keep your drone on the ground.

For those with a drone: ensure before and during flights that there are no reported grassfires in the area (e.g., AlertSA). Land your drone immediately if a grassfire is reported. Thank you.

Your drone footage is not worth more than our members’ lives

Aerial firefighting at the Katarapko fire was forced to stop after an illegal recreational drone was spotted overhead.

That one drone grounded aircraft, delayed firefighting, and put air crews at serious risk.

This is the third drone incident this month.

Drones can collide with aircraft causing catastrophic consequences.

👉 If you fly, we can’t. Keep drones well away from firegrounds.

26/01/2026

We hope you all manage to keep cool amidst the heat…
Please note that we’ll have another day of Extreme fire danger in the Mount Lofty Ranges tomorrow (Tuesday, 27 January).

24/01/2026

On a day like today, when nothing happens, everyone is a winner.

Our firefighters were on active standby at the fire station today, ready to turn out immediately if needed. Fortunately, the only fires we fought were part of a boardgame.

Thanks everyone for playing it safe!

23/01/2026

Remember the Cherry Gardens fire?
Tomorrow (Saturday 24 January) is the five-year anniversary of that fire. For a while, Bridgewater was in a Watch & Act zone - with many watching the towering plume and pondering what to do.

Tomorrow’s weather conditions will be far more dangerous than during the Cherry Gardens fire. If a fire breaks out, it may evolve very quickly. Thick smoke and embers may develop rapidly and start spot fires kilometres ahead of the main fire front. The Fire Behaviour Index (FBI) for Mount Lofty Ranges is just 4 points short of Catastrophic.

Tomorrow is not a day to ponder - have a plan in place. Leaving tonight or very early tomorrow morning is your safest option. Go to a Bushfire Safer Place such as Adelaide well before there is a fire.

Activate your Bushfire Survival Plan now. Don’t have a plan yet? Do it now - it doesn’t take long. See the CFS website for details.

Stay safe, Bridgie.

22/01/2026

* * * I M P O R T A N T * * *

Hi Bridgewater,

We have several days of dangerous fire weather ahead of us.

For tomorrow, Friday 23.01., there will be EXTREME FIRE DANGER (a Total Fire Ban has been declared for the Mount Lofty Ranges).

Saturday (24.01.) is of particular concern and is likely to see the most dangerous conditions in more than 5 years. The rating is currently forecast EXTREME but may be CATASTROPHIC (check for updates tomorrow afternoon). The Fire Behaviour Index (FBI) on which the ratings are based is currently forecast to be 94 (“extreme” ranges from 50-99, values 100 and above equal catastrophic fire danger).

Be well prepared and start making plans now. A Bushfire Survival Plan that is written down will help you act as quickly and as calmly in an emergency as possible. If you don’t have one yet, create it now.

Note that the safest option is leaving bushfire risk areas such as Bridgewater early - that is, before there is a fire. Check the CFS website for Safer Places. Also, understand that Bridgewater Oval is NOT a Safer Place or a Bushfire Last Resort Refuge.

Stay safe, Bridgie!

Making a plan when a bushfire threatens is too late. Don't wait until the last minute. Create your 5 Minute Bushfire Plan now.

19/01/2026

As part of firefighting efforts at the Tooperang fire, Bridgewater crews have been on the fire ground since yesterday evening (another truck is leaving tonight). The fire is another reminder that we all must be bushfire-ready — join the info session this Thursday, which is provided be the CFS and the Bridgewater Aldgate Community Support Hub.