Bush Fire Danger Period starts early
Wingecarribee Shire Mayor Duncan Gair is urging residents to remain vigilant to the threat of fire as the NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) brings forward this year’s Bush Fire Danger Period.
“No one needs reminding of how dry the current conditions are,” the Mayor said. “And with no significant rainfall recorded through winter our colleagues at NSW RFS have brought forward this year’s Bush Fire Danger Period by a full month.”
The 2019/20 bush fire season officially commenced on Sunday 1 September 2019.
The early start to the Bush Fire Danger Period covers a total of 74 local government areas across the State including both the Wingecarribee and Wollondilly areas.
“It’s important we don’t become complacent thinking that because the temperature is still cool there’s no risk of bush fire,” the Mayor added.
NSW RFS report that over the past two months more than 2,700 bush and grass fires have destroyed homes, impacted property and closed roads across the State.
With the Bush Fire Season now in force anyone wishing to light a fire must now obtain a permit from their local Fire Control Centre.
“Council recommends that all residents use these milder spring months to prepare and discuss their own Bush Fire Survival Plan with family and friends,” Mayor Gair said.
“Forewarned is forearmed and hopefully none of us ever need to activate our Bush Fire Survival Plans – but having no plan is a sure fire recipe for disaster.”
For more information on how to prepare a Bush Fire Survival Plan, visit www.myfireplan.com.au.
“We can’t escape the fact that most of our Shire is bushfire prone land,” the Mayor added. “This means we all have a role to play in fire mitigation.”
“And while risk cannot be entirely removed, it can be managed with proper processes.”
As of 1 September 2019 backyard burning and pile burns are no longer permitted without a fire permit. Within the Wingecarribee Shire, fire permits are allocated by different fire authorities depending on the location of the property. Any existing permits are automatically revoked on days of Total Fire Ban.
To report an unattended fire call Triple Zero (000).
To learn more about the Bush Fire Danger Period including Fire Danger Ratings and permits, visit www.rfs.nsw.gov.au or contact your local Fire Control Centre on phone 4868 5500 or via email at southern.highlands@rfs.nsw.gov.au.
To read more about Council’s role in managing bushfire visit www.wsc.nsw.gov.au/services/bushfire-management.