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 Orana district will not change.
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The bushfire danger period has been bought forward in areas such as Bathurst and Lithgow starting on September 1, however the Orana district including Narromine, Dubbo and Wellington will remain at the usual start date of October 1.
However NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) Orana District Officer David Nicholson said risk remains with dry conditions and below average rainfall.
“Our group captains from Narromine, Wellington and Dubbo, have decided with the lack of ground fuel being the grass, that its not that high a risk to bring it forward,” District Officer Nicholson said.
“At the moment until we get some more rain and a bit more growth in the grass we will stick with the October 1 start date.”
District Officer Nicholson is reminding residents that it’s a legal requirement for people to provide notification to the NSW RFS fire control centre and neighbours all year round at least 24 hours prior to lighting a fire.
“It’s so we know where it is and what they’re doing – so if someone’s burning a cattle carcass or burning a pile of sticks or stubble – that somebody knows about it and we don’t send 15 fire trucks to their smoke sighting because they didn't notify us,” District Officer Nicholson said.
“If a fire leaves a property or after October 1 they don’t get a permit, they can be warned officially or legally fined up to $5500 for any infringement.”
After October 1 residents still need to provide 24 hour notification and will require a permit prior to lighting any fires, which can be obtained by contacting the Orana control centre.
District Officer Nicholson said in the lead up to the warmer season people should look at any vegetation around properties and make sure they remain aware of their actions during hot windy conditions which can spark a fire at a moments notice.
“To prepare themselves for the upcoming fire season just make sure people put their fire breaks in and around their paddocks, listen to firefighters advice, go onto the RFS website or follow it on Facebook or Twitter, look at the current weather they are experiencing and look further ahead.
“Don’t use slashes, grinders and welders out in the paddock when its a hot windy day, and always if you are going to do that sort of work out in the field before October 1 that they’ve got some water firefighting capacity with them whether it’s a fire extinguisher or a truck”
However the main message District Officer Nicholson said is to remain vigilant about about actions such as mowing lawns, grinding, slashing and using machinery that may cause a fire.
“Don’t be complacent about lighting fires just because there is a lack of grass fuel out there. Just because the grass is low doesn't mean a fire will not travel.”
To notify the Orana RFS contact 6881 3900.
Zaarkacha Marlan
Court and crime reporter at the Daily Liberal. Formerly the sole journalist for the Nyngan Observer, Narromine News and Trangie Advocate.
Court and crime reporter at the Daily Liberal. Formerly the sole journalist for the Nyngan Observer, Narromine News and Trangie Advocate.
