NSW RFS declares the start of Bush Fire Danger Period

The NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) announced 12 Local Government Areas (LGAs) will commence the Bush Fire Danger Period (BFDP) today, due to prevailing dry conditions.

NSW RFS Acting Commissioner Rob Rogers said the 12 LGAs that will enter the BFDP on 1 August 2019 are Armidale Regional, Bega Valley, Eurobodalla, Glen Innes Severn, Inverell, Kempsey, Mid Coast, Nambucca, Port Macquarie Hastings, Tenterfield, Uralla and Walcha.

Acting Commissioner Rogers said a number of factors, including local fuel conditions, are considered before declaring a variation to the statutory BFDP that commences on 1 October 2019.

“Conditions across the state are drier and warmer than average, with more than 98 percent of NSW drought affected,” Acting Commissioner Rogers said.

“During the Bush Fire Danger Period, land owners and managers are required to obtain a Fire Permit from their local Fire Control Centre before lighting any fires, including hazard reduction burns.

Acting Commissioner Rogers said now is the time for residents and land managers to start preparing for the threat of bush fire.

“Last season we saw more fires in July and August then the whole of summer combined,” Acting Commissioner Rogers said.

“Recent fires on the Mid Coast and in the Hunter region have shown that bush fires can strike at any time and it is vitally important to be prepared,” Acting Commissioner Rogers said.

“This means doing simple things like cleaning your gutters, removing combustibles from your yard, ensuring hoses can reach all corners of your property and completing or updating your bush fire survival plan, so you and your family know what you will do in the event of a bush fire.”

“I encourage households to update their bush fire survival plan and make sure the whole family knows what to do when faced with a fire. It could save your lives.”

“Ask yourself, when you will go, what you will take and where will you go.”

Information about hazard reduction burning and required notifications is available on the NSW RFS website at www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/BFDP.