Despite the NSW Rural Fire Service announcing last week an early start to the Bush Fire Danger Period for parts of New South Wales, Grenfell and Weddin will be assessed week by week before it comes into effect.
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The NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) announced 12 Local Government Areas (LGAs) commenced the Bush Fire Danger Period (BFDP) last week due to prevailing dry conditions.
NSW RFS Acting Commissioner Rob Rogers said the 12 LGAs entered the BFDP on 1 August 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, were 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 than the whole of summer combined," Acting Commissioner Rogers said. "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."
Information about hazard reduction burning and more is available on the NSW RFS website at www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/BFDP.