A PROPERTY owner at O’Connell has been issued with $4400 worth of penalty notices for lighting an illegal burn that put a volunteer firefighter in hospital last December.
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The man lit a fire on his property during hot, windy weather on December 14, but it quickly got out of control.
It spread rapidly to neighbouring properties and forced the evacuation of the area.
The fire was determined to be such a threat that extensive resources were directed to it, including multiple NSW Rural Fire brigades, two fixed-wing aircraft and a water-bombing helicopter.
In the end, the fire burnt though 250 hectares of private and Crown land and an immediate police investigation was launched.
NSW Rural Fire Service Superintendent Greg Wardle said while property owners are entitled to conduct burns, this one was illegal.
He said members of the public must abide by the law when conducting any hazard reduction burns on their properties.
“Penalties apply for failing to notify the NSW RFS and your neighbours that you are planning to light a fire, for allowing fires to escape or by not abiding by the conditions of a fire permit,” he said.
Superintendent Wardle said the penalty notices the property owner received were for not having a valid permit, for not notify his neighbours or the RFS, and for letting the fire escape his property.
“The fire escaped from the land owner’s property and spread to many nearby properties,” he said.
“RFS crews spent several days protecting residents and property from the initial fire threat and to extinguish residual hot spots.”
Superintendent Wardle said the RFS had provided information to the public on how to conduct safe burning on their land for hazard reduction.
“The decision to impose penalty notices on the land owner was taken after consultation with NSW Police Force,” he said.
“It is hoped that this instance helps to convey the message to other land owners regarding the importance of having a safe, and legal, fire on their property.”
Superintendent Wardle said the RFS understands and supports the safe use of fire for agricultural reasons and/or to remove fallen debris, however it must be done within law.
Fire permits are required from October 1 until March 31 each year. To apply for a fire permit, or arrange a Bush Fire Hazard Reduction Certificate, call your local Bathurst Fire Control Centre on 6333 1333.
