With the start of this year’s Bush Fire Danger Period the Rural Fire Service is urging local residents to remember that Fire Permits are required before you can light up no matter how wet or how green the district may appear.
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The Fire Danger Period for the Cudgegong RFS District, which covers most of the Mid-Western Regional Council area, runs from Saturday, October 1, and is scheduled to conclude on March 31, 2017.
“Residents are reminded that a Fire Permit is required before any burning activities are carried out throughout the Fire Danger Period,” Superintendent Troy Porter said.
“We are having a very wet spring at present, and all of the rain will cause strong growth in gardens and paddocks across the district,” he said.
“But eventually the warmth of summer will dry out that growth and lead to a potential threat of bush and grass fires.
“What we are asking of residents is to remember that starting on October 1, Fire Permits will be required regardless of how wet or how green it may be at present.
“Just because it’s the Bush Fire Danger Period doesn’t mean you can’t use fire, but there are restrictions to ensure fire is used safely and to minimise the danger to you, your family, your property and the community.”
“Getting a permit is free and easy. Just contact your local RFS brigade permit officer or the Cudgegong Fire Control Centre on (02) 6372 4434.
“Remember, there are heavy penalties if you fail to follow restrictions and rules.”
Superintendent Porter said that one simple rule applies to everyone – if it's your property, it's your hazard and your responsibility to manage that hazard.
Bush fire hazards are any materials which can fuel a fire, such as leaf litter, grass, garden mulch and woodpiles.
They can also be made up of solid combustibles or flammable liquids and gases such as petrol, kerosene, alcohol, LPG, natural gas, and acetylene.
All of these can be especially dangerous if they're close to your home or other buildings, or are over large areas which can increase the intensity of a fire.
“It is every landholder's responsibility to manage the bush fire hazards on their property,” Superintendent Porter said.
“It is to your own advantage to make your home safer. What we are asking is for you to be prepared.”
For the protection of neighbours and the environment, landowners wanting to clear native vegetation may need an environmental approval such as a bush fire hazard reduction certificate.
