Bushfire Risk in Upper Horton, NSW: 2026 Assessment

Upper Horton, New South Wales· UNKNOWN
Upper Horton has a high bushfire risk due to its proximity to bushland and prevailing dry conditions. Climate change is projected to exacerbate this risk.Updated 10 May 2026

Bushfire Risk Score

8.0/10

Upper Horton has a high bushfire risk due to its proximity to bushland and prevailing dry conditions. Climate change is projected to exacerbate this risk.

Key Facts

Bushfire Risk
Upper Horton has a high bushfire risk due to its proximity to bushland and prevailing dry conditions. Climate change is projected to exacerbate this risk.
Trend
increasing
Suburb
Upper Horton, NSW
Overall Risk
High
Postcode
2347
Highest high-risk exposure
16.2% of land (bushfire)

Bushfire Risk Analysis

Upper Horton, New South Wales, has a upper horton has a high bushfire risk due to its proximity to bushland and prevailing dry conditions. climate change is projected to exacerbate this 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.

Much of the area is designated as bushfire prone land.

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

Upper Horton sits within ClimateNest's suburb-level hazard model for bushfire risk. 16.2% of the suburb's land area is mapped in high-risk bushfire zones and 70.6% 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 Upper Horton.

Upper Horton (postcode 2347) 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 (16.2% of land in high-risk zones), surface flood (9.3% of land in high-risk zones), riverine flood (5% of land in high-risk zones). Exposure is not uniform across Upper Horton — 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 Pilliga State Forest
BAL Overlay / Zonehttps://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/plan-and-prepare/understanding-bush-fire-danger/bush-fire-prone-land
Bushfire Prone AreaYes

Historical Events

2019
Major

Severe bushfires impacted the region, causing significant damage to property and the environment.

Adaptation & Mitigation Actions

Improve Bushfire Preparedness

Immediate

Implement bushfire management plans, clear vegetation around properties, and ensure access to water for firefighting.

Est. cost: Low

Develop Heatwave Management Plan

Near-term

Establish cooling centers, provide public awareness campaigns, and ensure vulnerable populations have access to support during heatwaves.

Est. cost: Medium

Upgrade Flood Defenses

Long-term

Improve drainage infrastructure, construct flood levees, and implement early warning systems.

Est. cost: High

Promote Water Conservation

Near-term

Implement water restrictions, encourage water-efficient landscaping, and invest in water recycling infrastructure.

Est. cost: Medium

Council & Emergency Services

UNKNOWN
Emergency Services

Data last updated: 10 May 2026

Explore Upper Horton Risk Reports

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Upper Horton in a bushfire prone area?

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

BAL ratings in Upper Horton 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 Upper Horton?

Yes, properties in bushfire-prone parts of Upper Horton 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 Upper Horton?

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 Upper Horton is exposed to high bushfire risk?

ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 16.2% of Upper Horton in high-risk zones for bushfire, with a further 70.6% 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 Upper Horton Safe from Climate Risk?

Enter your address below for an instant climate risk assessment for Upper Horton, 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