JANUARY’S big wet has dragged out the Border’s bushfire risk, despite the NSW fire danger period coming to an end.
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The season officially ends at midnight tonight in the NSW Rural Fire Service’s southern border region.
But a senior fire chief warned people against becoming complacent given the abundance of dry grass that was ready to burn.
Region manager Supt Patrick Westwood said the area was still prone to getting wind that could fan fires, though lower overnight temperatures “are in our favour”.
“We’re really asking people to take extra care,” he said.
“Just because the bushfire danger period has finished doesn’t mean commonsense doesn’t have to prevail.
“The rain we had in January caused this drier grass we’ve got at the moment.”
The Border had 96.8 millimetres of rain in January, including 46.8mm on the 14th.
The southern border region takes in Albury, Berrigan, Corowa and Greater Hume councils.
Fire danger periods continue until the end of next month in Wodonga, Wangaratta, Alpine, Indigo, Towong and Moira.
Superintendent Westwood said volunteers and brigades were on alert to make sure they got onto fires quickly.
“We’re definitely at the back end of summer now, but it’s not the time to be complacent,” he said.
He said high risk remained until the area received some decent rainfall, which was predicted for the weekend.
“It’s only then that we’ll receive some relief,” he said.
But Superintendent Westwood said the forecast of thunderstorms with the rain might pose some problems.
“With the dry grass we still have the potential for lightning to start fires, as we had back in December,” he said.
Superintendent Westwood said even though a fire permit was no longer needed after today, residents must still notify their neighbours and the local fire control centre 24 hours before burning.
“It is their responsibility if the fire they light escapes,” he said.
“We’re pleading with people to use their commonsense.
“Just because the restrictions are lifted doesn’t mean it’s a free-for-all.
“Fines apply for those people who are not responsible.”
Superintendent Westwood urged people to avoid burning stacks of timber, which could remain alight “for some time”.
“This would be better burnt in winter,” he said.
More information can be obtained by phoning the service’s Albury office on (02) 6051 1511 or Corowa on (02) 6033 4550.
