The Australian bush fire season runs from October to May. Every year bush fires ravage large areas of land, causing property damage and loss of life. State and territory emergency services in Australia provide up-to-date information on bush fires and advice on precautionary measures that can help minimize fire-related risks. U.S. citizens visiting or living in Australia should monitor local television and radio stations, as media reporting may be the best source for breaking news on fire conditions. Also please see the list of resources below highlighting emergency services available in Australia to further prepare for bush fire season.
Australia-wide Bush Fire Resources
Dial 000 (triple zero) for immediate assistance from the police, ambulance service or fire brigade.
Bureau of Meteorology: Provides weather information and warnings countrywide
Emergency Management Australia: Coordinates emergency response across the country.
Australian Capital Territory
ACT Fire Brigade: Manages fire emergencies across the Australian Capital Territory
ACT Emergency Services Agency: Provides emergency assistance following a disaster
New South Wales
NSW Fire and Rescue Service: Manages fire emergencies in NSW’s major cities and towns
NSW Rural Fire Service: Manages fire emergencies in regional NSW
NSW State Emergency Service: Provides emergency assistance following a disaster
Northern Territory
NT Police, Fire and Emergency Services: Manages fire emergencies across the Northern Territory
Queensland
QLD Fire and Rescue Service: Manages fire emergencies across Queensland
QLD State Emergency Service: Provides emergency assistance following a disaster
South Australia
SA Metropolitan Fire Service: Manages fire emergencies in the Adelaide metropolitan area
SA Country Fire Service: Manages fire emergencies in regional South Australia
SA State Emergency Service: Provides emergency assistance following a disaster
Tasmania
Tasmanian Fire Service: Manages fire emergencies across Tasmania
State Emergency Service: Provides emergency assistance following a disaster
Victoria
Country Fire Authority: Manages fire emergencies in regional Victoria
Metropolitan Fire and Emergency Services Board: Manages fire emergencies in the Melbourne metropolitan area
Victoria State Emergency Service: Provides emergency assistance following a disaster
Western Australia
WA Fire and Emergency Services Authority: Manages fire emergencies across Western Australia
For further information:
- See the State Department’s travel website for the Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and the Australia Country Specific Information.
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
- Call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
- Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
Embassy and Consulates in Australia
Australian Capital Territory (ACT) or Queanbeyan:
U.S. Embassy in Canberra
Moonah Place
Yarralumla, ACT 2600
Telephone: (61) (2) 6214- 5600
Emergency after-hours telephone: (61) (2) 411-424-608
Facsimile: (61) (2) 6214-5970
NOTE: The U.S. Embassy in Canberra only provides emergency assistance for U.S. citizens in the ACT. The U.S. Embassy does not process passports or visas. Passports and other routine citizen services for Canberra and the rest of the ACT are provided by the U.S. Consulate General in Sydney (see contact information below).
New South Wales, Norfolk Island, Lord Howe Island, and Queensland:
U.S. Consulate General Sydney
Level 10, MLC Centre, 19-29 Martin Place, Sydney, NSW 2000
Telephone: (61) (2) 9373-9200
Emergency after-hours telephone: (61) (2) 4422-2201
Facsimile: (61) (2) 9373-9184
Email: SydneyACS@state.gov
Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, and the Northern Territory:
U.S. Consulate General Melbourne
553 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne, VIC 3004
Telephone: (61) (3) 9526-5900
Emergency after-hours telephone: (61) (3) 9389-3601
Facsimile: (61) (3) 9525-0769
Email: MelbourneACS@state.gov
Western Australia:
U.S. Consulate General Perth
16 St. Georges Terrace, Perth WA 6000
Telephone: (61)(8) 6144- 5100
Emergency after-hours telephone: (61) (8) 9476-0081
Facsimile: (61)(8) 9231-9444
Email: PerthACS@state.gov
