NSW Downside Rural Fire Brigade

02/10/2026

01/10/2026

🔥 Planning a burn-off? Notify first.

The Bush Fire Danger Period has been declared across most of NSW, but the Riverina Zone (Wagga Wagga, Junee, Coolamon and Lockhart) is not included until the 1st November. That doesn't mean you can light up without telling anyone.

Whatever the size or type of fire, let us know 24 hours before you light up. That includes pile burns, stubble and paddock burns, and garden clean-ups. The only exceptions are cooking and entertaining fires.

Notifying takes a few minutes and helps us:
✅ Avoid unnecessary triple zero calls and callouts
✅ Know where fires are and why, so crews aren't sent to a planned burn
✅ Keep you, your neighbours and your property safe

Before you light up:
🔸 Check the weather and fire danger rating on the day
🔸 Make sure you have water and tools on hand
🔸 Never leave a fire unattended
🔸 Fully extinguish it before you leave

📞 Notify via https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/notify

City of Wagga Wagga Coolamon Shire Council Junee Shire Council Lockhart Shire Council

Today marks the official start of the bush fire season, with the Bush Fire Danger Period beginning in most NSW Local Government Areas.

If you’re planning on conducting a burn, you’ll require a fire permit from your local Fire Control Centre or brigade. Fire permits help ensure fire is used safely and reduces the danger to you, your property and the community.

Residents and land holders must know the rules when it comes to the use of fire. Along with having the required fire permits, you need to notify your local fire authority and neighbours of your intent to burn at least 24 hours in advance.

For more information on the Bush Fire Danger Period and requirements around safe burning, visit our website: www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/BFDP

13/09/2026

When Sunday training turns into a fire call, the whole crew jumps into action.

We were just finished with our Sunday training here at Downside. This time we started with a sit down and talk, going through new information and truck maintenance. Our practical training started by going through an overrun drill with both 1A and 1B, making sure our team knew how to stay safe and remain cohesive in the event of an emergency. Then we moved on to an exercise pushing empty drums around with the hoses whilst on the trucks. This is a really important exercise for our crews that focuses on building teamwork, strategy and communication whilst also being fun! We finished with a sit down, having a cuppa and talking through what we learnt today and what we can do next training session.

We were just wrapping up when we got the call and of course everyone jumped into action. Trucks were out of the station within minutes and heading towards the scene. A tree burning. Our team worked safely and efficiently to assess the scene and set hose lines to put out the blaze.

Thank you all Downside members involved and Glenfield Rural Fire Brigade for assisting. Great work today guys.

*All photos taken by me, Skylah

18/08/2026

All hands on hoses at Downside RF’s training session on Sunday afternoon.

09/08/2026

🐨 Smokey Goes to Uni! 🎓

Sorry, NSW Rural Fire Service Smokey may have accidentally enrolled at Charles Sturt University! 😂🐨

Despite the weather not exactly being on our side today 🌧️, it was a fantastic day at CSU Wagga!

You can always count on Charles Sturt University and the NSW Rural Fire Service to be working together to help develop skills, create opportunities and be part of the future. 🚒🎓

A huge thank you to Charles Sturt University for having us along and giving us the opportunity to showcase the NSW Rural Fire Service, volunteering pathways and everything RFS has to offer.

Who knows… maybe Smokey will be back next year with a degree! 😂🐨🎓🚒

Interested in volunteering or finding out where the RFS could take you?

Come and have a chat with your local brigade — you might be surprised where it can lead.

https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/volunteer/join-the-nsw-rfs

NSW RFS - Riverina Zone
NSW Downside Rural Fire Brigade

09/08/2026

❗️Rain, Hail or Shine ❗️

We are all set-up ready for today's event at CSU Wagga open day, come day and say Hello.

Don't worry about the weather its cosy in our display 😀

NSW RFS - Riverina Zone
Charles Sturt University
NSW Downside Rural Fire Brigade

01/08/2026

🚒 ONE WEEK TO GO! 🚒

Come and visit Downside Rural Fire Brigade at the Charles Sturt University Wagga Wagga Open Day on Sunday, 9 August!

Check out our fire truck, meet our volunteers, explore our equipment, and discover how you can get involved with the NSW Rural Fire Service.

📍 CSU Wagga Wagga Campus
📅 Sunday, 9 August 2026

🎟️ Register your interest today and we'll see you there!

NSW Downside Rural Fire Brigade
NSW RFS - Riverina Zone
Charles Sturt University

19/07/2026

Our next event is another ONLINE event! Be sure to register to recieve the link!

12/07/2026

🚒🎓 Discover Your Future at Charles Sturt University Wagga Wagga Open Day – and Visit Downside Rural Fire Brigade! 🎓🚒

Downside Rural Fire Brigade is excited to be part of the Charles Sturt University Open Day on Sunday, 9 August 2026 at the Wagga Wagga Campus!

Looking for career inspiration, hands-on experiences, or simply a fantastic day out? Join us at the Charles Sturt University Wagga Wagga Open Day on Sunday, 9 August 2026!

🔥 See what volunteering with the NSW Rural Fire Service is all about!

At our display you can:
🚒 Get up close to a fully equipped Rural Fire Service fire truck.
👨‍🚒 Meet local Downside Brigade volunteers and hear about their experiences.
🧑‍🚒 Learn about volunteer pathways and how you can become part of one of Australia's largest volunteer emergency services.
🦺 Check out firefighting protective clothing and the equipment we use.
🚨 Discover the many roles within the RFS—from frontline firefighting and community education to communications, logistics and support.
❓Ask us anything about training, volunteering, emergency response, and how you can make a real difference in your local community.

Whether you're a student exploring career options, someone wanting to give back through volunteering, there's something for everyone.

📍 Charles Sturt University – Wagga Wagga Campus
📅 Sunday, 9 August 2026

We can't wait to see you there!

Volunteer. Learn. Grow. Protect.

NSW RFS - Riverina Zone
NSW Downside Rural Fire Brigade

20/05/2026

It's taken a few days to go through everything, but thank you to everyone who came down to see us on Sunday at the Wagga Botanical Gardens!

All the team had such an amazing time meeting the community and sharing a little bit of our world with everyone. It is always a highlight of events when we get to see the children light up around the trucks and show interest by asking questions.

Here are the pictures from the day of everyone in our amazing RFS Firetruck costume. We hope to see everyone and more at our next day out.