belly tank
16th Jul 2004, 02:08
The Commissioner of the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) Phil Koperberg today announced he was bringing forward to Sunday 1 August the start of the Bush Fire Danger Period for 46 local government areas in Northern and Eastern NSW.
The Commissioner said the early declarations had become necessary due to the current prolonged dry conditions.
"With the lack of rain over much of the state in recent months the amount of moisture in the soil and fuel has declined significantly, increasing the risk of fire.
``We would need in excess of 100mm of rain and in some areas 180mm to bring us back average conditions.
"By limiting fires in the declared areas to only those with permits we will be better able manage them and prevent major blazes."
The Commissioner warned property owners that because of the dry weather fires are acting more aggressively than would be expected during the winter months.
"Property owners should not `panic burn' in the lead up to 1 August just to avoid having to get a permit.
``Many recent fires we have attended were burn-offs that got out of control in windy conditions
"These could well have been prevented with some more caution from landowners.
"Winds and very dry vegetation are turning fires which would usually be of low intensity and easy to control into significant grass and bushfires that in some cases threaten property.
"You can be fined for allowing a burn to escape and we will be assisting police to penalise people who allow fires to threaten life, property and the environment.
"We are in the middle of winter but some of our brigades are being called out far too regularly. The moisture content of fuel is reduced and combustibility increased and property owners must take extreme care," the Commissioner said.
The Commissioner said the early declarations had become necessary due to the current prolonged dry conditions.
"With the lack of rain over much of the state in recent months the amount of moisture in the soil and fuel has declined significantly, increasing the risk of fire.
``We would need in excess of 100mm of rain and in some areas 180mm to bring us back average conditions.
"By limiting fires in the declared areas to only those with permits we will be better able manage them and prevent major blazes."
The Commissioner warned property owners that because of the dry weather fires are acting more aggressively than would be expected during the winter months.
"Property owners should not `panic burn' in the lead up to 1 August just to avoid having to get a permit.
``Many recent fires we have attended were burn-offs that got out of control in windy conditions
"These could well have been prevented with some more caution from landowners.
"Winds and very dry vegetation are turning fires which would usually be of low intensity and easy to control into significant grass and bushfires that in some cases threaten property.
"You can be fined for allowing a burn to escape and we will be assisting police to penalise people who allow fires to threaten life, property and the environment.
"We are in the middle of winter but some of our brigades are being called out far too regularly. The moisture content of fuel is reduced and combustibility increased and property owners must take extreme care," the Commissioner said.