A Total Fire Ban has been declared for the Monaro Alpine, Central Ranges, Southern Ranges, Lower Central West Plains and Southern Slopes for Friday, February 17, 2017 due to forecast hot and windy conditions.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Total Fire Ban, commencing at midnight tonight covers the following councils:
- Monaro Alpine (Very High) Snowy-Monaro
- Central Ranges (Very High) Bathurst, Blayney, Cabonne, Cowra, Lithgow, Mid-Western, Oberon, Orange
- Southern Ranges (Very High) Goulburn Mulwaree, Queanbeyan-Palerang, Upper Lachlan, Yass Valley
- Lower Central West Plains (Severe) Bland, Dubbo Regional, Forbes, Lachlan, Narromine, Parkes, Temora, Weddin
- Southern Slopes (Very High) Cootamundra-Gundagai, Hilltops, Snowy Valleys
The NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) provides the following advice.
Under Severe and Very High fire conditions:
- Well prepared homes that are actively defended can provide safety during a fire
- Follow your Bush Fire Survival Plan and remain vigilant
- Keep informed by listening to local radio, watching television news broadcasts and monitoring www.rfs.nsw.gov.au.
Southern Tablelands superintendent Peter Alley said that the Total Fire Ban will remain in place from Midnight date for a 24-hour period.
“Latest forecasts indicate temperatures reaching the mid to high 30s with low humidity and moderate winds from the northwest. This has resulted in a Very High Fire Danger Rating in place across the Southern Tablelands tomorrow,” said Supt. Peter Alley.
“Under these fire conditions, fires will be difficult to control and fast moving, and could threaten properties with little warning.”
“That’s why it’s so important that people are prepared, by having a Bush Fire Survival Plan so they know what to do if a fire affects their community.”
Supt. Alley said a Total Fire Ban means a ban on the lighting of any fires out in the open, including wood or solid fuel barbeques.
Supt. Peter Alley has encouraged landowners to ensure they take precautions during the predicted conditions.
“Many fires start as a result of human activities, including working with machinery, and the risk of more fires is high in these extremely dry conditions.”
The NSW RFS may request that harvesting operations and other machinery use stop in grassland, paddocks and on roadsides.
Residents can stay informed by checking www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/fire-information, by calling the Bush Fire Information Line on 1800 679 737 or by downloading the ‘Fires Near Me’ app for smart devices.
Should residents see a fire without a fire truck in attendance, they should report it immediately to Triple Zero (000).