Reliable Sources for Australian Bushfire Information: Official and Real-Time Resources

During Australian bushfire emergencies, accurate information saves lives. Prioritize these authoritative sources—avoid unverified social media.

1. Official Emergency Services (Real-Time)

• NSW Rural Fire Service: rfs.nsw.gov.au — Fires Near Me map, warnings, alerts
• VIC Country Fire Authority: cfa.vic.gov.au — FireReady app, warnings
• QLD Fire & Emergency: qfes.qld.gov.au
• SA CFS: cfs.sa.gov.au
• WA DFES: dfes.wa.gov.au
• TAS Fire Service: fire.tas.gov.au
• NT PFES: pfes.nt.gov.au
• ACT ESA: esa.act.gov.au

2. National Coordination

• Australian Government Crisis Information: crisisinformation.gov.au
• Bureau of Meteorology: bom.gov.au — Fire weather warnings, forecasts
• National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA): nema.gov.au

3. Real-Time Fire Mapping & Satellite Data

• NASA FIRMS: firms.modaps.eosdis.nasa.gov/map/ — Near-real-time satellite hotspots (VIIRS/MODIS)
• Geoscience Australia Sentinel: sentinel.ga.gov.au — Hotspot mapping
• Copernicus EMS: emergency.copernicus.eu — EU satellite mapping

4. Trusted News Outlets

• ABC Emergency: abc.net.au/news/emergency — Official broadcaster, embedded with services
• The Guardian Australia: Live blogs, data journalism
• Sydney Morning Herald / The Age: Deep reporting
• BBC / CNN / Reuters: International perspective

5. Relief & Recovery

• Australian Red Cross: redcross.org.au — Register.Find.Reunite, recovery grants
• Salvation Army Australia: salvationarmy.org.au
• St Vincent de Paul / Anglicare / Lifeline: Mental health, material aid
• WIRES / RSPCA: Wildlife rescue

6. Social Media — Verified Accounts Only

• @NSWRFS, @CFA_Updates, @QFES, @BOM_au, @AustralianRedCross, @NSWSES, @VICSES
• State Premier/Police accounts
• Enable notifications for emergency accounts

Critical Apps

• Fires Near Me NSW / VIC Emergency / Emergency+ (national)
• BOM Weather
• ABC Listen (radio streams)

Rule: If an evacuation warning is issued, act immediately. Property can be replaced; lives cannot.