PRECAUTIONS are being taken to ensure public safety this weekend as a wave of hot weather continues.
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With a top of 40 expected today, residents are being reminded a total fire ban is in place for all of NSW.
Increased fire danger has led to the closure of state forests across the Central West.
Forestry Corporation of NSW regional manager Gavin Jeffries said all forests in the region would be off-limits to the public until midnight tomorrow.
“The weather conditions continue to pose a very real threat of damaging fire,” Mr Jeffries said yesterday. “To ensure public safety – and the protection of both private and community assets – the region’s forests are being closed to the public again today, and for the weekend.
“No hunting, camping, fishing, fossicking, beekeeping, motorbike riding or any other recreational use, or general access, is permitted in forests which are all closed.”
No-access areas include Ben Bullen, Blenheim, Canobolas, Dog Rocks, Essington, Falnash, Glenwood, Gurnang, Hampton, Jenolan, Kinross, Lidsdale, Lowes Mount, Mount David, Mount Macquarie, Mullion Range, Newnes, Neville, Pennsylvania, Roseberg, Sunny Corner, Turon, Vittoria, Vulcan and Wolgan, as well as Macquarie Woods.
Trespass carries a maximum fine of $2200.
It’s the second time this week all state forests in the region have been in lock-down due to severe fire weather. On Tuesday, the mercury was three degrees shy of a predicted top of 37.
“The forecast conditions for this weekend tick all the boxes that cause us to worry,” Mr Jeffries said. “We’re looking at 38 degrees on Saturday [since updated to 40 degrees] and 36 degrees on Sunday. There’s a bit of relief on Monday with a top of 30 degrees forecast, but looking past that to Tuesday and Wednesday with 34 degrees and 35 degrees on Thursday shows there’s more worrying times ahead.”
Mr Jeffries said people should realise just how quickly a fire can move.
“Based on this weekend’s conditions, our modelling shows a grass fire can travel at eight kilometres an hour. A forest fire can spread at three kilometres an hour, spotting as far away as six kilometres with flames as high as 25 metres.”
Residents are being advised that those most at risk of developing heat exhaustion are elderly people, people with chronic diseases and people working or exercising in a hot environment.
NSW Health officials said people should drink plenty of water; keep cool; take care of others; and have a plan.
