Temperatures are set to soar in the Bathurst region during the final week of 2018, and the NSW Rural Fire Service [RFS] Chifley/Lithgow Team is preparing for the possibility of dangerous fire conditions.
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A consistent run of high temperatures has been forecast for the Bathurst region over the coming days, with today’s top predicted to reach 37 degrees.
Hot weather has historically proven to be an unwelcome companion for fires, and NSW RFS Chifley/Lithgow Team operational officer Brett Taylor said they will be keeping a keen eye out for any fire activity in the region.
“We currently have a very high fire danger rating in place for the region, and we’re expecting that rating to rise by the end of the week,” Mr Taylor said.
“The risk of fires breaking out will depend on the activity of the wind during the period because on hot, windy days, the intensity of a fire can increase.”
While Weatherzone’s current seven-day forecast is predicting temperatures to peak in the mid-30s, the wind is expected to hover at relatively calming speeds between eight and 18 kilometres per hour.
Regardless, Mr Taylor is encouraging the Bathurst community to have their action plans in place in case a fire happens to break out near them.
“If you see smoke or fire without an RFS appliance available, call triple-zero, and make sure that your Bushfire Survival Plan has been refreshed,” he said.
“Furthermore, be wary of what the current fire danger rating is so that you can plan your day around it.”
Thankfully, the NSW RFS Chifley/Lithgow Team has had a safe festive period thus far without any major fire activity.
“We had a very quiet Christmas and Boxing Day with zero call outs, which shows that everyone is heeding the warnings,” Mr Taylor said.
“Our fire season is normally at its peak in February and March, and we’ll be monitoring the region’s grasslands as they dry out from recent rainfall.”
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Sam Bolt
"I'm not in the business of telling people what to do. I'm much more in the business of describing things, situations and stuff like that and leaving them out there, and you can make up your minds about them." -Nick Cave
"I'm not in the business of telling people what to do. I'm much more in the business of describing things, situations and stuff like that and leaving them out there, and you can make up your minds about them." -Nick Cave
