NSW bushfire season: Hikers, campers warned of fire risks
Fresh warnings are being issued to hikers and campers as devastating bushfire conditions are being forecast across the state. Here’s what you need to look out for.
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Hikers and campers across the state are being warned to stay on high alert, as fireys prepare for a devastating fire season and warnings are issued over ‘bushfire fuel loads’.
The Bureau of Meteorology and NSW Rural Fire Service have warned of a high-risk of bush fires across the state as temperatures rise.
Experienced hiker David Bartley has been completing trails for over 20 years, and is particularly familiar with the Kanangra-Boyd National Park in the Blue Mountains.
“Over the last 12 months the biggest thing I’ve noticed is that the fire and walking trails have not been maintained properly, they are completely overgrown,” Mr Bartley said.
“Overgrown trails act not only as an accelerant for fire and an obstruction for emergency services, but it also slows hikers down.”
“The last trail I did was so overgrown, it slowed us down to such an extent that we ran out of water before we were able to reach our next planned water source.
“It makes you think, how many hikers are going to run into trouble like this?”
Expert hiker and founder of Sterling Results Fitness Club Sonia Wray leads regular hikes across NSW through her HIKEFit program.
Ms Wray warned certain trails should be striked off the list for the warmer months.
“There are certain trails we don’t do because there isn’t enough shade on them during summer,” she said.
The hiking expert said that outside of being caught in a bush fire, which if hikers have done their due diligence is unlikely, the effects of the heat on the body are just as much of a concern.
She highlighted “simple” tools like a cool towel, or alternatively just splashing some cold water on the back of your neck are important tricks to know to keep your body temperature steady on a hot day.
Planning and research are fundamental to any hike, but making sure you have back-up plans is one way to mitigate unpredictable nature.
A NSW RFS spokeswoman said the department’s number one piece of advice for hikers is to plan ahead and be aware of the conditions before heading out into the bush.
“Let someone know where you are going, when you will be back and make sure you are contactable,” the spokeswoman said.
The NSW RFS called for hikers to set up a watch zone on the Fires Near Me NSW app and download the Emergency+ app.
The spokeswoman said if hikers know they won’t have reception, having a device such as a Personal locator Beacon is a must.
“Plan multiple escape routes along your hike in the unlikely event you are caught near a bush fire,” she said.
If you are ever caught in a fire, the NSW RFS recommends the following.
“Find an open area away from dense bush, avoid hills and instead try to find divots so that you can lay as low as possible to the ground,” the spokeswoman said.
You can find more information on the NSW RFS website or by calling your local district office.
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