An extremely dry winter has prompted authorities in New South Wales to bring forward the start of the bushfire danger season for much of the state, but at this stage the North West Zone and Bogan District will not change.
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The bushfire danger period has been bought forward in areas such as Bathurst and Lithgow to now start on September 1, however the North West Zone and Bogan District including Nyngan Coonamble, Walgett and Warren will remain at the usual start date of October 1.
While the bushfire danger period has not been bought forward in the Bogan District, NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) District Coordinator of the North West, Inspector Jillian Butler said risk remains with dry conditions and below average rainfall reminding residents that they must inform the NSW RFS at least 24 hours prior to lighting controlled fires.
“People think that because it’s not the bushfire danger period they don’t have to let us know [about lighting fires],” Inspector Butler said.
“The difference is during the bush fire danger period people require a permit, outside the bushfire danger period they don’t require a permit. However all year round they still need to notify us and their neighbours before they light up.”
“It’s a legal requirement for people to provide notification to this office all year round at least 24 hours prior to lighting up.”
“Our main motivator is obviously to prevent unnecessary call outs for our volunteers to controlled fires that if they just picked up the phone and gave us a quick call then it can prevent a whole lot of heart ache for people,” she said.
Inspector Butler said in the lead up to the warmer season people should look at any vegetation around properties and make sure they clean their gutters to prepare for fires, which can strike at a moments notice.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology Nyngan has received a total of 4.6mm of rain during August 2018, compared to a total of 13.6mm received during August last year.
“As far as protecting live stock, I don’t think it will be a huge problem because unfortunately there’s not a lot of feed,” Inspector Butler said.
“But always knowing that there’s a clean paddock that they can move stock into, should a fire be coming their way, either a ploughed up paddock or a very well eaten down paddock is important,” she said.
Inspector Butler said anyone interested in becoming a member of the NSW RFS they can visit the Nyngan office on a Wednesday or phone the North West team in Coonamble.
To notify the NSW RFS about any controlled fires at least 24 hours prior to lighting up residents can contact the office in Coonamble on 02 6822 4422.