Bushfire Safety
During a bushfire, you may lose power, phone, and internet service. Fire can damage power poles and electrical equipment, and heat and smoke from fires can overheat substations. In extreme circumstances, we may need to turn off power if we believe it will help prevent a bushfire starting.
Be prepared for a bushfire
There are a few things you can do to ensure you are prepared for bushfire season:
Make a Bushfire Safety Plan
Make sure you have a Bushfire Safety Plan. Familiarise yourself with the Fire Danger Ratings and talk about the plan with everyone in your household. Landowners in rural areas should also make a Farm Fire Plan.
Plan your escape routes
Know your exit routes and make sure your family, including kids, practice manually operating electric garage doors, gates, and locks.
Remove vegetation hazards
Make sure any vegetation on your property has been trimmed away from powerlines. Never attempt to trim trees near powerlines yourself. Always use a qualified contractor to trim branches on your property.
Check private poles
Check private electricity pole to ensure it is free from rust or termite damage.Be prepared
Keep a battery powered radio, torch and spare batteries handyCharge batteries
Keep your phone and portable charger fully charged.Your power supply during bushfires
When a bushfire is approaching, Ausgrid is in close communication with local emergency services to make sure everyone is as safe as possible. We may need to turn the power off without notice to help keep our customers and the community safe. In some areas, turning the power off may mean crucial services, including phone and radio reception, water and sewage, are also turned off.
Staying informed
In a bushfire always follow the advice from NSW RFS. You can stay across alerts through their website, or download the NSW Government’s Hazards Near Me app.
Returning after a bushfire
Once the NSW RFS has determined you can return to your property after a bushfire, there are a few steps you should take to keep you and your family safe when returning home. Ausgrid may have needed to switch off power in your area during the bushfire, so check our power outage map for updates.
Electrical hazards may be present
- Look out for damaged electricity equipment. Assume fallen powerlines are live and stay at least 8 meters away. Call Ausgrid on 13 13 88, available 24 hours, for power outages, emergencies and hazards.
- If your property has been damaged by bushfires, engage a licensed electrician to inspect your electrical equipment before turning the power back on. If you have trouble reaching an electrician, contact Master Electricians.
- You may notice Ausgrid crews inspecting areas impacted by bushfires. In these instances, our crews are ensuring that any damaged power poles and powerlines are safely disconnected before turning power back on for customers.
Stay alert to hazards after a bushfire
- Smoke can act as a conductor of electricity
- Keep an eye out for sagging or low hanging powerlines
- Stay at least 8 meters away from fallen powerlines and anything they may be touching them
- Fences, fallen trees and other objects may be live if damaged powerlines are nearby
- If hosing your property down, make sure to never wet your electrical equipment, including meter boards and powerlines
If you are still without power, please call us on 13 13 88, available 24 hours. An Emergency Service Officer will attend your property to investigate. You may need to contact an electrician to check your connection before power can be restored.