📮 Thornleigh postcode: 2120

Bushfire Risk in Thornleigh, NSW: 2026 Assessment

Thornleigh, New South Wales· Hornsby· 2120
Thornleigh has a high bushfire risk due to its proximity to significant bushland areas. Hot, dry conditions and strong winds can exacerbate the risk.Updated 11 May 2026

Bushfire Risk Score

6.0/10

Thornleigh has a high bushfire risk due to its proximity to significant bushland areas. Hot, dry conditions and strong winds can exacerbate the risk.

Key Facts

Bushfire Risk
Thornleigh has a high bushfire risk due to its proximity to significant bushland areas. Hot, dry conditions and strong winds can exacerbate the risk.
Trend
increasing
Suburb
Thornleigh, NSW
Overall Risk
Medium
Postcode
2120
Highest high-risk exposure
22.8% of land (bushfire)

Bushfire Risk Analysis

Thornleigh, New South Wales, has a thornleigh has a high bushfire risk due to its proximity to significant bushland areas. hot, dry conditions and strong winds can exacerbate the risk. 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.

Check the NSW Rural Fire Service website for bushfire alerts and safety information.

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

Thornleigh sits within ClimateNest's suburb-level hazard model for bushfire risk. 22.8% of the suburb's land area is mapped in high-risk bushfire zones and 59.9% 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 Thornleigh.

Thornleigh (postcode 2120) 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 (22.8% of land in high-risk zones), surface flood (10.5% of land in high-risk zones), riverine flood (9.5% of land in high-risk zones). Exposure is not uniform across Thornleigh — 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 to bushland reserves
BAL Overlay / ZoneBushfire Prone Land
Bushfire Prone AreaYes

Historical Events

2019
Major

The 2019-2020 bushfires impacted the region, with smoke haze affecting air quality in Thornleigh.

2002
Moderate

Bushfires in the surrounding areas threatened Thornleigh, requiring residents to be on alert.

Adaptation & Mitigation Actions

Improve Flood Defenses

Near-term

Install flood barriers, improve drainage systems, and elevate vulnerable equipment to protect properties from flood damage.

Est. cost: Medium

Bushfire Preparedness

Immediate

Create a bushfire survival plan, clear vegetation around homes, and install fire-resistant building materials.

Est. cost: Low to Medium

Heatwave Preparedness

Near-term

Install air conditioning, improve home insulation, and establish cooling centers for vulnerable residents.

Est. cost: Medium to High

Water Conservation

Long-term

Implement water-saving measures, such as installing rainwater tanks and using water-efficient appliances, to reduce water demand during droughts.

Est. cost: Low to Medium

Council & Emergency Services

Hornsby Shire Council
Emergency Services

Data last updated: 11 May 2026

Explore Thornleigh Risk Reports

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Thornleigh in a bushfire prone area?

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

BAL ratings in Thornleigh 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 Thornleigh?

Yes, properties in bushfire-prone parts of Thornleigh 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 Thornleigh?

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 Thornleigh is exposed to high bushfire risk?

ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 22.8% of Thornleigh in high-risk zones for bushfire, with a further 59.9% 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 Thornleigh Safe from Climate Risk?

Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Thornleigh, 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