During this time, the Bushfire and Natural Hazards Cooperative Research Centre predicts many areas will likely experience above-normal fire conditions. 

This is based on the Bureau of Meteorology predicting a strong El-Nino weather pattern, particularly over the next three months. 

Added to that, a wetter-than-average winter has increased growth, which becomes a hazard as temperatures rise.

As acting president of the NSW Rural Fire Service Association, the representative body of all NSW RFS members, I urge the community to assist our rural firefighters by doing a few simple things:

1. During the bush fire danger period permits are required for lighting a fire, to ensure it is done safely. 

These can be obtained by contacting the local NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) fire control centre or your local brigade permit officer.

2. Make sure your family has an adequate Bush Fire Survival Plan. 

This helps with making important decisions about what action to take in the event of fire threatening your home or property. 

Adequate preparation saves lives.

The Bush Fire Survival Guide and instructions on how to make a plan, are available from the NSW RFS website or again, by contacting your local fire control centre.

Each and every community across NSW should be proud of the tremendous work the members of their local Rural Fire Brigades do, as they get on with the job of protecting the community. 

Our NSW RFS volunteers are people like you and me, who give up their time and in many cases income, to help at a time of crisis.

Let’s all do our part to help our fire fighters enjoy a safe and hopefully not too busy summer.

Ken Middleton

Acting President

NSW Rural Fire Service 

Association