Above average rains during the past five weeks have enabled the New South Wales Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) to lift a suspension of fire permits across the Mid-Western Region.
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All fire permits in the region were suspended until further notice on September 21 by Cudgegong RFS District Superintendent Troy Porter due to the extreme degree of drying and the prospect of dangerous fire weather conditions. He imposed the suspension after consultation with key land managers and the RFS District’s Senior Management Team.
The suspension which imposed a total ban on lighting up across the region followed the introduction of the statutory Bush Fire Danger Period in the Cudgegong District on September 1, a month earlier than normal, because of the hot, dry conditions.
The Bureau of Meteorology reported 15 days of rain totalling 134.4 mm falling at Mudgee during November and the first week of December, well above the historic average of 97.7 mm for the same period. Some parts of the region received even more. But good news though that is, the region’s rainfall for the first 11 months of the year in just 446 mm, far below the historic average of 689 mm from January through November.
“I’m pleased that we are able to once more allow people to light up if they have a proper fire permit,” Superintendent Porter said.
“I must remind you, however, that we remain in the Bush Fire Danger Period and the risk of fire is still very real.
“The greening we see on hillsides and fields across the district gives visual evidence to the recently increased moisture levels in our landscape, but the clouds of dust you may see from mowing or slashing activities are a reminder that our region is still very dry after receiving less than two-thirds of the average annual rainfall for this time of year,” Superintendent Porter said.
Fire permits are free and are available from the RFS Fire Control Centre in Mudgee or from your local RFS brigade permit officer.
“Each permits is issued for a specific range of dates, which means many of the permits that were in force on September 21 will have expired during the suspension,” Superintendent Porter said.
“If your permit has expired you must obtain a new permit before lighting up.”
Under the Rural Fires Act of 1997 and its Regulations you must have a fire permit to light up any outdoor fire during the Bush Fire Danger Period except for the purpose of cooking food in a permanently constructed fireplace surrounded by ground cleared of combustible materials for a distance of at least two metres all around.
Failure to have a valid fire permit when burning during the Bush Fire Danger Period could lead to penalties including substantial fines and prison terms up to 12 months.
Before lighting up you must notify your neighbours and the Cudgegong Fire Control Centre at least 24 hours in advance. The Fire Control Centre phone number is (02) 6372 4434.
You must also make sure it is not an RFS Total Fire Ban Day or a No Burn day declared on the EPA website, ensure that your fire can be contained and controlled within the specified area, have your fire permit present at the burn site, make sure the fire is supervised at all times and comply with any restrictions imposed by the permit.
“Since weather conditions remain conducive for bush fires, we urge all residents to have a Bush Fire Survival Plan and report any unattended fires they see to Triple Zero (000) immediately,” Superintendent Porter said.
“Everyone should have a Bush Fire Survival Plan and ensure all members of their family know what to do in event of a fire.”
For more information contact the Cudgegong Fire Control Centre on (02) 6372 4434