![extreme fire danger warning sign](https://regionriverina.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2023/12/firedanger-1200x862.png)
Multiple schools across NSW have been closed today due to an extreme fire danger risk. Image: NSW RFS.
Schools with elevated bushfire risk in western NSW will be temporarily closed on Friday, (8 December) due to an extreme fire danger rating being declared.
The decision was made with information provided by the NSW Rural Fire Service.
An extreme fire danger rating is in place across the Northern Riverina.
Fire Danger Ratings (FDR) describe the potential level of danger should a bushfire or grassfire start.
They do not indicate the chance of a fire occurring. The new Australian Fire Danger Rating System has four ratings. Moderate, High, Extreme and Catastrophic.
NSW Department of Education said that the decision to temporarily close schools is not one that is made lightly and is done with the safety and wellbeing of our staff and students in mind.
Although the schools are temporarily closed students will be provided with learning-from-home resources.
“We will continue to update our school communities as soon as we receive advice from the State Emergency Operations Centre and the NSW Rural Fire Service,” they said in a media release.
“It is important for parents and carers to know that schools do not offer minimal supervision when schools are temporarily closed due to bushfire threat.”
The temporarily closed schools are:
- Barellan Central School
- Binya Public School
- Clare Public School
- Coleambally Central School
- Darlington Point Public School
- Goolgowi Public School
- Hillston Central School
- Lake Wyangan Public School
- Narrandera East Infants School
- Narrandera High School
- Palinyewah Public School
- Pooncarie Public School
- Rankins Springs Public School
- Tharbogang Public School
- Wamoon Public School
- Whitton-Murrami Public School
- Yanco Public School
- Yenda Public School
- Yoogali Public School.
For more information, head to the NSW RFS website.