That applies to many people in the Southern Highlands and you only need to drive a short distance up the Hume Highway to see the signs of the fires that swept through our community a year ago.

While the trees and shrubs have renewed growth, the charred trunks and branches can still be seen. Meanwhile, for those living in Balmoral Village, Bargo, Yerrinbool and Yanderra areas the threat of those fires a year ago would still be a fresh and frightening recollection.

The threat of fire began on October 18 last year with the Hall Road blaze in Balmoral Village and burnt for about 13 days burning out more than 15,600 hectares of land including parts of Yanderra.

By the end of summer 2013-2014, there were 124 additional fires in the Southern Highlands area.

And this is not the only time Highlands communities have been impacted by bushfire over the years. Evacuations and property loss are not uncommon to people in the Hill Top and Colo Vale areas or to those in southern villages such as Fitzroy Falls, Bundanoon and Penrose to name a few.

In fact, bushfire is a very real threat in this shire which is surrounded by bushland.

With this in mind the NSW Rural Fire Service's Get Ready Weekend planned for October 18 and 19 is inspired and invaluable.

The weekend is essential to raise awareness about the potential threat of bushfire and ways to prepare for such a situation.

It encourages people to clean up their property of possible fire hazards, prepare a bushfire plan and connect with their neighbours to develop a survival plan.

When and if a fire comes, this preparation and team work could well be the best key to survival.

To download a Bush Fire Survival Plan, click here  or call Mittagong Fire Control Centre on 4868 5500.