📮 Little Forest postcode: 2538

Bushfire Risk in Little Forest, NSW: 2026 Assessment

Little Forest, New South Wales· Shoalhaven· 2538
Little Forest is at a high risk of bushfires due to its proximity to dense bushland. Hot, dry conditions and strong winds exacerbate the risk, which is projected to worsen with climate change.Updated 25 May 2026

Bushfire Risk Score

7.0/10

Little Forest is at a high risk of bushfires due to its proximity to dense bushland. Hot, dry conditions and strong winds exacerbate the risk, which is projected to worsen with climate change.

Key Facts

Bushfire Risk
Little Forest is at a high risk of bushfires due to its proximity to dense bushland. Hot, dry conditions and strong winds exacerbate the risk, which is projected to worsen with climate change.
Trend
increasing
Suburb
Little Forest, NSW
Overall Risk
Medium
Postcode
2538
Highest high-risk exposure
14.9% of land (bushfire)

Bushfire Risk Analysis

Little Forest, New South Wales, has a little forest is at a high risk of bushfires due to its proximity to dense bushland. hot, dry conditions and strong winds exacerbate the risk, which is projected to worsen with climate change. bushfire risk profile. Key factors include distance to classified bushland, vegetation type, slope, and historical bushfire activity in the region. The New South Wales fire authority maps bushfire-prone areas and assigns BAL (Bushfire Attack Level) ratings.

The suburb is surrounded by dense bushland, increasing the risk of bushfires spreading to properties.

CSIRO research indicates climate change is extending fire seasons and increasing the number of severe fire weather days across southern and eastern Australia. For Little Forest, this may mean shifts in bushfire risk levels over the coming decades, making property-level BAL assessment increasingly important.

Use ClimateNest for a complete address-level bushfire risk report for Little Forest including BAL zone assessment, evacuation route mapping, and property-specific risk mitigation recommendations.

Little Forest sits within ClimateNest's suburb-level hazard model for bushfire risk. 14.9% of the suburb's land area is mapped in high-risk bushfire zones and 72.2% in moderate-risk zones, based on the national hazard overlay. Exposure at this scale varies street by street, which is why an address-level check matters before you buy or insure a specific property in Little Forest.

Little Forest (postcode 2538) is tracked in ClimateNest's suburb hazard model, which maps the share of the suburb's land exposed to each hazard at high and moderate levels. The suburb's highest high-risk exposures are bushfire (14.9% of land in high-risk zones), surface flood (11.1% of land in high-risk zones), riverine flood (5.2% of land in high-risk zones). Exposure is not uniform across Little Forest — individual properties can sit well above or below these averages, so an address-level check is recommended before buying, selling or insuring.

Local Hazard Evidence

Distance to BushlandAdjacent
BAL Overlay / Zonehttps://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/plan-and-prepare/bush-fire-prone-land
Bushfire Prone AreaYes

Historical Events

2019
Major

The 2019-2020 bushfires significantly impacted the region, with widespread property damage and evacuations.

2013
Moderate

A bushfire near Little Forest threatened properties, requiring firefighting efforts and evacuations.

Adaptation & Mitigation Actions

Improve Flood Mitigation Infrastructure

Near-term

Invest in drainage upgrades and flood barriers to reduce the impact of flooding.

Est. cost: Medium

Implement Bushfire Hazard Reduction Programs

Immediate

Conduct regular hazard reduction burns and maintain firebreaks to reduce bushfire risk.

Est. cost: Low

Develop a Community Heatwave Plan

Near-term

Establish cooling centers and provide support for vulnerable residents during heatwaves.

Est. cost: Low

Promote Water Conservation

Long-term

Encourage residents to conserve water through rainwater harvesting and efficient irrigation practices.

Est. cost: Low

Strengthen Building Codes

Long-term

Update building codes to require fire-resistant materials and flood-proofing measures for new constructions.

Est. cost: Medium

Council & Emergency Services

Shoalhaven City Council
Emergency Services

Data last updated: 25 May 2026

Explore Little Forest Risk Reports

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Little Forest in a bushfire prone area?

Parts of Little Forest may be designated as bushfire prone land. Based on available data, Little Forest has a notable bushfire risk. Check your specific property for BAL ratings through ClimateNest or your local council.

What BAL rating applies to properties in Little Forest?

BAL ratings in Little Forest depend on the property's distance from classified vegetation, vegetation type, and slope. A site-specific assessment under AS 3959 is required to determine the exact BAL rating for any property within the suburb.

Does bushfire risk affect insurance in Little Forest?

Yes, properties in bushfire-prone parts of Little Forest may face higher building insurance premiums. Insurers assess bushfire risk based on BAL rating, fire history, and proximity to bushland. Some insurers may restrict cover in very high-risk locations.

What bushfire mitigation measures help protect homes in Little Forest?

Effective bushfire mitigation includes maintaining cleared asset protection zones, using ember-proof mesh on vents, installing metal gutter guards, using non-combustible building materials, and maintaining defendable space. Consult the New South Wales fire authority for property-specific guidance.

What share of Little Forest is exposed to high bushfire risk?

ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 14.9% of Little Forest in high-risk zones for bushfire, with a further 72.2% in moderate-risk zones. Suburb-level exposure is not uniform — individual properties can differ from these averages, so an address-level check is recommended.

Is Little Forest Safe from Climate Risk?

Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Little Forest, New South Wales, covering flood, bushfire, sea level rise and more.

Free instant previewCSIRO-powered data

What A$69 could save you from

$7.2B
2022 insured disaster losses*
$300B+
climate risk to property by 2050*
30-120%
insurance premium increases in high-risk areas*

*Industry sources: ICA, APRA, RBA

Full report from A$69 · Australian addresses only · 8 hazard scores · Insurance trajectory · 2030 & 2050 projections