“IT IS not advisable to take ride-on mowers or tractors into long, dry grass on days of extreme weather conditions,” the CFA has warned as unseasonable conditions prompt regrowth.
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District 2 Operations Officer Hugh Kelly said many residents who had prepared their properties and slashed their blocks prior to the fire danger period had found themselves with more long grass on their land as a result of summer rain followed by high temperatures.
While he property owners might feel pressure to attend to the regrowth, Mr Kelly said any mechanical works during the fire danger period were extremely risky and ought to be avoided.
“CFA attends fires on a daily basis that have started as a result of machinery creating sparks when blades hit a rock, piece of wire or other objects,” Mr Kelly said.
“Even if the operator is carrying the correct amount of water and has their machine prepared, a small spark may not easily be seen when a tractor is moving and by the time the ignition is putting up flames, the operator could be on the other side of the paddock.”
He said grass fires could start and spread quickly, especially on days when the fire conditions were severe, extreme or code red.
“Usually slashing is done before the fire danger period and more often than not it’s too late once summer sets in," Mr Kelly said.
“Preparing properties using machinery was best completed in spring or early summer when conditions were milder.”
The fire danger period is declared for each municipality depending on factors like grassland curing rate and the amount of rain. It remains in place until the fire danger lessens, which Mr Kelly said could be as late as May.
A day of Total Fire Ban has been declared in the North East on Thursday and a very high fire danger rating in the Eastern Riverina.
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