PREVAILING local conditions have forced six local government areas to commence their Bush Fire Danger Period early.
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The New England and Northern Tablelands towns of Armidale, Walcha, Uralla, Glen Innes, Inverell and Tenterfield will enter the danger period from Sunday, August 1.
From this point, landowners and managers are required to obtain a fire permit from their local fire control centre before lighting any fires, including hazard reduction burns.
Fire permit holders are required to let fire authorities and their neighbours know at least 24 hours before lighting up.
NSW RFS Superintendent Chris Wallbridge strongly urged people to exercise extreme caution when carrying out hazard reduction burn activities.
"We have all seen the devastation that bush fires can inflict on a community," he said.
"Never leave a fire unattended and if a fire does escape, it is essential to call Triple Zero (000) immediately so that emergency services can respond and minimise the damage."
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Tamworth residents have an extra two months before their bush fire danger period begins on October 1.
Tamworth RFS Superintendent Allyn Purkiss said the decision was made not to permanently move the alert period.
"We have put in a temporary variation in previous years so if the conditions are bad like they have been in the last couple of years we will bring it forward," he said.
"But this year with the good conditions we are having at the moment, we didn't.
"We don't get the winds that the Tablelands do because they're up on top of the range so historically they get a lot more fires."
To notify an intention to burn or for more information about hazard reduction burning visit www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/notify.
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