EMERGENCY services on the Border and surrounds are gearing up today with increased temperatures, electrical storms and winds providing the perfect conditions for bushfires.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
With temperatures forecast to reach up to 37 degrees in the Riverina, the New South Wales Rural Fire Service has imposed a total fire ban and a severe fire danger rating.
RFS southern border team operations co-ordinator Marg Wehner said people need to be vigilant.
“We will have a staff member in the office until 8pm and we will have a full contingency of staff should anything break out,” Insp Wehner said.
“The brigades have been notified and several of them will have crews ready to respond.
“Be aware of anything that can cause sparks like motorbikes, slashing and mowing. People need to know what the weather is doing, look at fire danger ratings and know if there is a total fire ban.
“People sometimes don’t think — they will get on mower at 4pm and that’s a bad time because it’s when moisture levels are at their lowest.”
NSW RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said there had been a noticeable increase in crop fires ignited by headers in recent weeks.
“It only takes one spark to set off a serious fire that can quickly spread to adjoining paddocks and properties,” Mr Fitzsimmons said.
“I strongly urge farmers to prepare their properties, check firefighting equipment, secure fuel, ensure hay bales are ventilated and consider moving stock.”
The CFA has given the North East a severe fire danger rating.
While today is not a total fire ban south of the Border, operation manager CFA district 23 Stewart Kreltszheim said people, particularly those using machinery, should take caution.
“Some of our control centres will be manned tomorrow as a precaution,” Mr Kreltszheim said.
“There is a high-risk period between 10am to 5pm.”