This time of year is very significant in Australia – especially the portion I live in. Bush fire season marks the period in the year when heat, dead leaf litter, wind, and difficult terrain combine to produce conditions ripe for fires. This is of particular significance in the Blue Mountains, where I live, where much of the region is blanketed by trees and national parks, and also very inaccessible.

Quite literally the inhabited regions represent an isolated dot in a sea of dried bushland.

At the moment there are over a dozen fires burning in the region. While there is no immediate threat to my home and family, the smell of smoke that is currently permeating the house is all the motivation we need to review our Bush Fire Survival Plans.

We’re quite fortunate to have some of the best fire fighters in the world out here, quite literally borne from a crucible of fire. They are highly active in the community – both online and offline.

In the case of online engagement, the New South Wales Rural Fire Service is harnessing several different social media tools to help keep the public informed on current events, threats, suggestions and recommendations.

For instance, their website features a mash-up of Google Maps and Current Incidents to depict where fire outbreaks are currently located.

They also have a YouTube channel (playlist embedded above) and a Twitter account. for distributing public service announcements and other information. There is also an RSS feed.

From my perspective as a resident of the Blue Mountains, having such immediate access to information like this is not only useful, but also very comforting.