Bushfire Risk in Smiths Lake, NSW: 2026 Assessment

Smiths Lake, New South Wales· UNKNOWN
The area surrounding Smiths Lake has a moderate bushfire risk due to the presence of bushland. Hot, dry conditions and strong winds can increase the likelihood of bushfires.Updated 8 May 2026

Bushfire Risk Score

4.2/10

The area surrounding Smiths Lake has a moderate bushfire risk due to the presence of bushland. Hot, dry conditions and strong winds can increase the likelihood of bushfires.

Key Facts

Bushfire Risk
The area surrounding Smiths Lake has a moderate bushfire risk due to the presence of bushland. Hot, dry conditions and strong winds can increase the likelihood of bushfires.
Trend
stable
Suburb
Smiths Lake, NSW
Overall Risk
Medium
Postcode
2428
Highest high-risk exposure
17.9% of land (bushfire)

Bushfire Risk Analysis

Smiths Lake, New South Wales, has a the area surrounding smiths lake has a moderate bushfire risk due to the presence of bushland. hot, dry conditions and strong winds can increase the likelihood of bushfires. 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.

Areas bordering the national park are designated as bushfire prone.

CSIRO research indicates climate change is extending fire seasons and increasing the number of severe fire weather days across southern and eastern Australia. For Smiths Lake, 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 Smiths Lake including BAL zone assessment, evacuation route mapping, and property-specific risk mitigation recommendations.

Smiths Lake sits within ClimateNest's suburb-level hazard model for bushfire risk. 17.9% of the suburb's land area is mapped in high-risk bushfire zones and 68.8% 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 Smiths Lake.

Smiths Lake (postcode 2428) 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 (17.9% of land in high-risk zones), surface flood (8.3% of land in high-risk zones), riverine flood (3.6% of land in high-risk zones). Exposure is not uniform across Smiths Lake — 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

Severe bushfires impacted the region, causing widespread damage and evacuations.

Adaptation & Mitigation Actions

Improve Drainage Infrastructure

Near-term

Upgrade drainage systems to reduce the risk of flooding during heavy rainfall events.

Est. cost: Medium

Implement Bushfire Management Plan

Immediate

Develop and implement a comprehensive bushfire management plan to reduce the risk of bushfires.

Est. cost: Medium

Develop Heatwave Response Plan

Near-term

Create a heatwave response plan to protect vulnerable populations during extreme heat events.

Est. cost: Low

Implement Coastal Protection Measures

Long-term

Implement coastal protection measures to reduce the risk of coastal erosion and inundation.

Est. cost: High

Community Awareness Programs

Near-term

Educate residents about climate risks and adaptation measures.

Est. cost: Low

Council & Emergency Services

MidCoast Council
Emergency Services

Data last updated: 8 May 2026

Explore Smiths Lake Risk Reports

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Smiths Lake in a bushfire prone area?

Parts of Smiths Lake may be designated as bushfire prone land. Based on available data, Smiths Lake 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 Smiths Lake?

BAL ratings in Smiths Lake 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 Smiths Lake?

Yes, properties in bushfire-prone parts of Smiths Lake 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 Smiths Lake?

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 Smiths Lake is exposed to high bushfire risk?

ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 17.9% of Smiths Lake in high-risk zones for bushfire, with a further 68.8% 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 Smiths Lake Safe from Climate Risk?

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

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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