Snow-goers urged to “Be Fire Safe” this winter
Published: 22 Aug 2025
Firefighters in the state’s snowfields are urging visitors and locals alike to “Be Fire Safe” over the last few days of winter.
There have been three residential fires in the Snowy Valley Local Government Area (LGA) so far this season.
One fire occurred in a kitchen, a second amongst some rubbish and a third involved a power-bank battery that caught fire in a loungeroom.
No-one was injured in those incidents but with around 850 residential fires and seven lives lost already across NSW this winter, Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) wants to prevent any more loss of life and property.
“We want to keep everyone safe this winter, particularly those visiting us in the NSW alpine areas,” said Station Officer, Scott Hanley, from FRNSW’s Perisher Valley Fire Station.
“It’s crucial you keep all your clothing a metre from any heater,” he urged, “If you come home after you’ve been out skiing or out in the winter conditions…and your clothing’s cold and wet…make sure when you’re drying your gear, it can’t catch alight from an adjacent heater.
“Another big tip…when you get home and you’re hungry, keep looking while cooking, stay attentive because around 40 per cent of fires in homes across the state occur in the kitchen,” Station Officer Hanley said.
“The key bit of safety advice…only a working smoke alarm will save your life.
“Ensure you have smoke alarms in your home, make sure you’re changing any batteries and regularly check they’re in good working order.
Media note – Grabs of Station Officer Hanley are available here: https://vimeo.com/1111163225/dde7212348?ts=0& [external link];share=copy
Updated: 02 Feb 2026 8:04am