Both In the Cove and ITC Lane Cove Chat are being inundated with posts and questions. So we have created a list of everything we know so far and some resources for you.
Lane Cove Residents have started to smell smoke. This is from the numerous fires burning all over NSW. However there were fires in St Ives and West Pennant Hills on 11 November which are now under control.
Ben Shepherd, a senior Rural Fire Service spokesman said: “The advice for people near on Sydney’s more forested areas – such as Hornsby, the Blue Mountains, parts of Sutherland Shire and even Lane Cove – is to stay out of the bush”.
Lane Cove has several bush reserves close to houses. The Bushfire Information Hotline is 1800 679 737.
Bushland/Reserves
The NSW Rural Fire Service has declared a total fire ban on the lighting of fires for the Greater Sydney Region, including Lane Cove, for Monday 11 November.
Catastrophic fire danger is also forecast for Tuesday 12 November due to worsening conditions.
The following reserves are closed on Tuesday 12 November due to the catastrophic fire conditions:
- Batten Reserve
- Ventemans Reach
- Lovetts Reserve
- Yangoora Reserve
- Lower Stringybark Creek Reserve
- Greendale Reserve
- Holloway Reserve
- Gore Creek Reserve
- Warraroon Reserve
- Tennyson Park
- Burns Bay Reserve
Lane Cove Council recommends residents stay indoors on Tuesday. Council is monitoring the conditions at other parks and reserves and will update the website with any changes.
Rural Fire Service Update
For updates, please visit the NSW Rural Fire Service website.
Fires Near Me
Download the Fire Near Me App iPhone or Fires Near Me Google Play or go to the Fires Near Me Website here.
Get Ready App by Red Cross
Red Cross has a get ready app with checklist here.
Schools
At this stage NO 2066 or 2065 Schools are closed. This list is being updated all the time. Click here to check about your school. Some Lane Cove kids that go to school outside Lane Cove (such as Newington Linfield) will not be attending school tomorrow.
KU Osborne Park has announced it will be closed on 12 November 2019.
Sport
Summer Soccer has been cancelled and all morning training for SIC Riverview has been cancelled due to poor air quality.
National Parks Closed
Lane Cove National Park is closed to everyone and fines will be applied.
Swimming Pools
If you have a swimming pool this water can be used. NSW Fire trucks only carry a certain amount of water and may be able to use a static water supply like a swimming pool. You can put out a sign. More info here.
Water Source
Check to see if you have a Fire Hydrant near the front of your property – see below. It will be indicated by a yellow paint and also red letters on the nearest power pole. Make sure it is easy to spot and not covered in weeds or grass.
Helicopters
You might hear some military helicopters. They are conducting training exercises to support NSW Fire and Rescue.
Medical Warning
Stay inside if you suffer from Asthma. Close all your windows. If you are struggling to breathe head to Royal North Shore Emergency. If it is not an emergency but you need help and do not want to wait for Emergency then head over to Wise Emergency Clinic in Macquarie Park. ITC has never suffered from Asthma before but developed a breathing issue two weeks ago when the air quality was bad and headed straight over to WISE and was seen straight away. There is a $200 payment but that covers all the tests. Details here.
Emergency Warning
Emergency alerts will be sent in the form of:
- Recorded voice messages to landline numbers based on handset location
- Text messages to mobile phones based on your billing address
- If you receive an Emergency Alert, follow the instructions in the message.
You may also hear the Standard Emergency Warning Signal (SEWS) which is a distinctive tone played on radio or television in the event of an emergency.
Evacuation
In some instances, evacuations of a house or area may become necessary. The organisations that have the authority to initiate an evacuation are the NSW Police, Fire and Rescue NSW, NSW State Emergency Service and the Ambulance Service.
If any of these officers instruct you to evacuate, you must do so – they are doing it to save you from a possible threat to your life. Go directly with all members of your family, your pets and medications to the evacuation assembly area. You may also receive evacuation instructions via the media or public address system.
It is advisable for all residents to consider the possibility of evacuation as part of their emergency preparedness plan. Decide what you believe are the most important possessions to save and keep them in one place. This way, you won’t leave anything behind that you wanted to take, and you will be able to quickly evacuate the premises.
Neighbourhood Safer Places
Neighbourhood Safer Places are a place of last resort during a bush fire emergency.
They are to be used when all other options in your bush fire survival plan can’t be put into action safely.
You should be aware of any Neighbourhood Safer Places in your area, and note them in your bush fire survival plan before a bush fire occurs. You should also know how to get there, as well as alternate routes in case the road is blocked or too dangerous to drive on.
Not all areas will have a Neighbourhood Safer Place. If there is no Neighbourhood Safer Place in your area, you should identify other safer locations you can go to as a last resort. This might include a nearby home which is well prepared, a shopping centre or oval which is well away from the bush.
A Neighbourhood Safer Place is designed as a Place of Last Resort in bush fire emergencies only. Please note that travelling to or sheltering at a Neighbourhood Safer Place does not guarantee your safety.
Remember:
- Your safest option will always be to leave early.
- People with special needs, such as the elderly and people with a disability, should always leave before the threat of bush fire.
- If it is unsafe to leave the area or stay and defend your property, and the path is clear, you should move to your pre-identified Neighbourhood Safer Place, or other safer location, prior to the impact of a bush fire.
- Be aware that when you are travelling to your Neighbourhood Safer Place there may be heavy smoke and poor visibility.
- It is important that you are familiar with the area. Gather at the Neighbourhood Safer Place location and remain there until the bush fire threat has passed.
- The conditions at the Neighbourhood Safer Place may be uncomfortable and you may be affected by heat, smoke and embers.
- Water, toilets and food may not be available at the Neighbourhood Safer Place and emergency service personnel may not be present.
- Neighbourhood Safer Places are not intended for pets and livestock.
The NSP Guidelines (PDF, 2MB) are used to provide the criteria to identify and maintain a NSP.
KU Osborne Park has just announced it will be closed tomorrow Tuesday 12 Nov.