THE bush fire danger period will start a month early in the Chifley area this year.
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From September 1, residents in Bathurst, Oberon and Lithgow will need a permit to conduct any burning on their properties.
NSW Rural Fire Service operational officer Rebecca Phillips said the early start was a result of the dry conditions the region experienced throughout winter.
“We’ve had prolonged below average rainfall during winter, so it is all dry,” she said.
“The rainfall that we’ve had hasn’t been enough to make a difference.”
To obtain a permit to conduct burning, people need to contact NSW RFS on 1300 258 737.
“What we do then is contact their nearest permit officer, who will arrange a time for them,” Ms Phillips said.
Residents will also need to to notify the RFS and their neighbours at least 24 hours prior to the burning taking place.
“It is a legal requirement under the Rural Fires Act, but it also helps us at a local level to know what fires we may have in the area and for their neighbours to know that if they see smoke in the area it is okay,” Ms Phillips said.
Anyone who conducts burning without a permit and without notifying the appropriate people could receive a penalty notice.
Ms Phillips said someone will receive a penalty notice if a fire causes significant damage and if it leaves their property.
“In the first instance, as long as the fire hasn’t done any significant damage or left their property, they will just get a warning,” she said.
To lessen the potential for a serious blaze, people are urged to have containment lines and conduct the burn close to a water source.
If a burn does get out of control, people need to call triple zero immediately.
Ms Phillips said people not using cautioun during burning can lead to large fires and put pressure on RFS volunteers.
“Our service has a lot of volunteers and for them it is a financial thing; they’ve got to leave their jobs, their families, their homes to serve the community,” she said.
The most volatile days for fires are those with high temperatures, strong winds and low relative humidity.
“Basically, hot, dry and windy days. They tend to be the days that are of most concern,” Ms Phillips said.
Residents are also encouraged to put together a bush fire survival plan for their households to make sure they know what to do in the event of an emergency this season.