Tamworth RFS to push fires into open areas, rather than back-burn this season due to lack of water
A Total Fire Ban has been issued for the region for Thursday, as the Rural Fire Service brace for a long fire season, with restricted access to water
The first Total Ban of the season was issued for the New England, North West and Northern Slopes areas, and comes just five days into the Bush Fire Danger Period, and is "likely to continue through Friday."
Tamworth is forecast to hit 31 degrees on Thursday, however the main danger is the wind according to Tamworth RFS Superintendent Allyn Purkiss.
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"We are expecting wind gusts of up to 80 km/h on the ridgelines," he said.
"Friday will be the worst day, and there will be a lot of dust as well."
In planning for the forecast long and hot season, Supt Purkiss and the crews are preparing to employ alternative tactics to save water, however it will result "in a bit more country being burnt-out."
"With the condition we have now anything in the scrub will be an issue - it will go like steam," he said.
"In the open country there is not much to burn, so we will be looking to move fires to those open areas."
Advice: Bees Nest fire (Armidale LGA).
— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) September 4, 2019
Firefighters from #NSWRFS & #NPWS are working on containment lines. The fire is burning in remote terrain & putting up significant smoke. There is no threat to homes. Crews completing work before elevated fire danger over coming days. pic.twitter.com/VXJkoIjuyL
Typically the RFS would bulldoze a line to stop a scrub fire, and back burn to create a perimeter, however this season is different, with few properties even having water in dams, as well as dry creeks and rivers.
"Moving fires into open areas will mean a bit more country is burnt-out, but we don't have the resources at the moment - that strategy is the best we can do."
Mr Purkiss also issued a warning for landholders and bush walkers to steer clear of scrubby areas, after "multiple reports of heat stressed trees dropping branches."
Meanwhile three fires burning near Armidale were all under control on Wednesday afternoon, with the largest, a 1676ha bush fire at Bees Nest requiring both the RFS and the National Parks and Wildlife service to establish containment lines.
A grass fire also closed the Newell Highway near Bellata on Wednesday afternoon.