Bushfire Risk in Yalwal, NSW: 2026 Assessment

Yalwal, New South Wales· UNKNOWN
Yalwal has a high bushfire risk due to the surrounding bushland. Hot, dry conditions and strong winds exacerbate the risk during bushfire season.Updated 25 May 2026

Bushfire Risk Score

8.0/10

Yalwal has a high bushfire risk due to the surrounding bushland. Hot, dry conditions and strong winds exacerbate the risk during bushfire season.

Key Facts

Bushfire Risk
Yalwal has a high bushfire risk due to the surrounding bushland. Hot, dry conditions and strong winds exacerbate the risk during bushfire season.
Trend
increasing
Suburb
Yalwal, NSW
Overall Risk
High
Postcode
2540
Highest high-risk exposure
11.1% of land (riverine flood)

Bushfire Risk Analysis

Yalwal, New South Wales, has a yalwal has a high bushfire risk due to the surrounding bushland. hot, dry conditions and strong winds exacerbate the risk during bushfire season. 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 area is designated as bushfire prone, requiring properties to adhere to specific building standards to improve their resilience to bushfires. Regular vegetation management is also crucial to reduce the risk.

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

Yalwal sits within ClimateNest's suburb-level hazard model for bushfire risk. 8.7% of the suburb's land area is mapped in high-risk bushfire zones and 81.2% 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 Yalwal.

Yalwal (postcode 2540) 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 riverine flood (11.1% of land in high-risk zones), bushfire (8.7% of land in high-risk zones), surface flood (4.3% of land in high-risk zones). Exposure is not uniform across Yalwal — 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 / ZoneNSW RFS Bush Fire Prone Land Map
Bushfire Prone AreaYes

Historical Events

2019
Major

The 2019-2020 bushfires had a significant impact on the region, with several properties damaged or destroyed.

2013
Moderate

A bushfire threatened the area, requiring residents to evacuate.

Adaptation & Mitigation Actions

Develop a community bushfire plan

Immediate

Create a detailed plan outlining evacuation routes, emergency contacts, and property preparation measures.

Est. cost: Low

Improve flood resilience of properties

Near-term

Implement measures such as raising electrical outlets, installing flood barriers, and improving drainage.

Est. cost: Medium

Establish a heatwave early warning system

Immediate

Develop a system to alert residents of impending heatwaves and provide guidance on how to stay safe.

Est. cost: Low

Invest in water storage infrastructure

Long-term

Increase water storage capacity to ensure a reliable water supply during periods of drought.

Est. cost: High

Promote native vegetation

Near-term

Encourage the planting of native trees and shrubs to help reduce the risk of erosion and provide habitat for wildlife.

Est. cost: Low

Council & Emergency Services

Shoalhaven City Council
Emergency Services

Data last updated: 25 May 2026

Explore Yalwal Risk Reports

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Yalwal in a bushfire prone area?

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

BAL ratings in Yalwal 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 Yalwal?

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

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 Yalwal is exposed to high riverine flood risk?

ClimateNest's hazard overlay maps 11.1% of Yalwal in high-risk zones for riverine flood, with a further 75.7% 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 Yalwal Safe from Climate Risk?

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