The NSW Rural Fire Service is urging people to think twice before any hazard reduction burns, after firefighters were called to at least 142 escaped or illegal burns across NSW in the past fortnight.
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The NSW RFS asked landholders and land managers to “carefully consider current weather conditions” – as well as their other responsibilities.
Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said hundreds of firefighters had had to contain and extinguish several escaped hazard reduction or pile burns.
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They were in areas including the New England, Northern Tablelands, Mid North Coast, Northern Rivers, Bega Valley, Wingecarribee and Wollondilly.
“Given the dry and windy conditions are forecast to continue over many parts of the state for the next few days, it is vital that landholders only light up when it is safe to do so,” Commissioner Fitzsimmons said.
“We have also received many reports about people lighting up without providing proper notifications and carelessly allowing burns to escape.”
Landholders who fail to notify firefighters and neighbours face fines of up to $5500 and/or 12 months’ jail.
Escaped fires attract penalties of up to $110,000 and/or five years’ prison.
“The dryness of the landscape and the lack of rain is worrying, especially when you take into account the number of hazard reduction burns that had to be postponed during the past two years due to unfavourable weather conditions,” Commissioner Fitzsimmons said.
“With the Bush Fire Danger Period fast approaching, beginning on August 1 in some areas in the state’s north, I encourage everyone to start preparing their property now, including checking and maintaining your firefighting equipment, and to make or update your bushfire survival plan.”
- Information about hazard reduction burning and required notifications is available on the NSW RFS website at http://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/fire-information/BFDP.
