Incidents
18 April – Fire Alarm Activated, KV. The Easter weekend got off to a lively start with a fire alarm at Wildes Hotel in the centre of the village, going off at midnight. The Valley crew responded and used both thermal imaging and the recently issued gas detector to investigate. Fortunately, it turned out to be a false alarm inadvertently set off by a guest; however, it was good to see the emergency response system and evacuation plan working effectively, and guests responding accordingly.
30 April – Structure Fire, Robertson. The brigade was called to assist Southern Highlands brigades with a structure fire near Robertson to provide additional resources and BA (breathing apparatus) operators. Six crew members responded with three BA operators but were not required as it had been brought under control upon our arrival, with only the loss of the garage and vehicles.
12 May – Motor Vehicle Accident, Barrengarry Mountain. A single vehicle had lost control on greasy roads, subsequently going off the road edge before coming to rest in trees approximately 10 metres down the embankment. The driver sustained no injuries – apart from pride.
Pile burns and burning off
The Fire Permit season finished on 31 March and will recommence on 01 September 2025; however,
there is a process that still needs to be adhered to prior to burning off in the off-season:
1. You must NOTIFY the NSW RFS at least 24 hours before you light the fire.
Ways to notify the NSW RFS:
ONLINE: Online at www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/notify or via the QR code.
PHONE: Shoalhaven Fire Control Centre (FCC) 4424 4424 between 8.00 am and 4.00 pm Monday to Friday.
2. You must ADVISE your immediate neighbours at least 24 hours before you light the fire.
3. You must not light the fire if a Fire Danger Rating is HIGH or above.
4. At least one responsible person must be present on site until it is extinguished.
5. Check the upcoming weather conditions, as the pile may continue to smoulder for days.
6. If you believe you cannot safely control the fire once it has been lit, dial 000.
If you have concerns about doing this yourself, please get in touch with the KV Fire Brigade, and we can possibly
assist you with your pile burn or check your site for you.
