THE bushfire danger period will officially start on the Northern Tablelands, on August 1. It means residents in the Armidale Regional, Glen Innes Severn, Inverell, Tenterfield, Uralla and Walcha local government areas will need to obtain a permit before burning off. NSW RFS Supt. Steve Mepham is also urging people to start preparing their properties for the bushfire season by removing flammable materials from around homes, clearing gutters and checking hoses.