RFS declares 21 NSW regions early bushfire danger zones
NSW residents are being urged to brace for bushfire conditions akin to the “catastrophic” fires that destroyed 200 homes six years ago. It comes as the Rural Fire Service declared 21 areas across the state in bushfire “danger period”. SEE THE ZONES
NSW
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NSW is bracing for its worst bushfire season since the catastrophic 2013 fires which destroyed 200 homes, with 21 areas across the state now officially deemed bushfire danger zones.
Without rain to ease the state’s ongoing drought crisis, this season’s outlook is looking bleak, and the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) is warning of harsh, “difficult fires” ahead.
This month alone, NSW RFS volunteers have tackled 1342 bush, grass and forest fires statewide — and 2422 since the season started early, in parts of the state, on July 1.
A total of 52,224 hectares has also so far been burnt in bush, grass, forest and median strip fires in NSW since July 1.
Traditionally, the Bush Fire Danger Period starts from October 1 until March 31; but in recent years has extended well into April and even May.
Continuing conditions are so dry 21 Local Government Areas (LGAs) across the state have already commenced the Bush Fire Danger Period.
“We’ve been having a lot of trouble in the northern part of the state, in areas like Ballina, Byron, Lismore and Coffs Harbour,” NSW RFS Deputy Commissioner Rob Rogers said.
“Then we have other areas (starting their season) now or last week, like Armidale, the mid-coast and Port Macquarie, and then down in the South Coast like Bega Valley and Eurobodalla.
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“I am certainly concerned about the fire season if we don’t have spring rain. It’s trajectory is the worst in years.”
To help combat and manage potential bushfire events, the NSW RFS has welcomed 1028 junior, fresh and rejoining faces since April 1 — including Debbie Bishop, 31.
She joined as a recruit in November and has since completed her probationary period and Basic Firefighter (BF) course at the Cherrybrook Rural Fire Brigade.
New volunteers undergo extensive training and a six or 12 month probation before being given the tick of approval to fight fires.
“In completing my BF course, I can now go to bushfires and I’m ready for the season, but I can’t attend structure fires just yet,” Ms Bishop said.
“I have to undertake additional training and that’s the next goal on my list.”
RFS Inspector Ben Shepherd said the organisation was always open to new recruits, especially when the season was “extraordinarily busy”.
Other roles with the NSW RFS include working in the communications, catering, training, welfare support, equipment maintenance and youth development departments.
To best prepare for this season, Mr Rogers said it was necessary for NSW residents to clear gutters, remove combustibles from around the home and have an extra-long garden hose, with a clear bushfire survival plan in place.
“The fact that we’re in this drought, people should take our warnings and this fire season very seriously,” he said.
“Right now our situation is very dry but also cold and windy. If you then add low humidity and strong, high temperatures, these fires are going to be really, really difficult.”