The bushfire season isn't over yet.
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That is the message from the NSW Rural Fire Service, which is reminding the community and landholders in particular to be aware permits still apply for people wishing to light a fire.
The Southern Border Team, which covers Albury, Greater Hume, Berrigan and Federation shires, said until the statutory Bush Fire Danger Period ended rules still applied.
District officer John Osmond said volunteer crews "could do with a few more weeks of rest" until they decide to lift the danger period, given the horror start to the bushfire season.
"From now until the end of the Bush Fire Danger Period, people wishing to light a fire in the open will require a permit, which are free and can be obtained from your local fire station or fire control centre," he said.
"We urge all residents in the Southern Border area to be vigilant and extremely careful with fire during the Bush Fire Danger Period.
"There will come a time further into March and April where we will consider the lifting of the official bush fire danger period.
"But at the moment our volunteer crews could do with a few more weeks of rest, with less fire in the landscape."
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Mr Osmond said unfortunately there was a trend that when they did lift the danger period they saw a large number of fires escaping controls.
"Unfortunately, when we lift the fire danger period we also see a large number of escapes due to complacency," he said.
"Two years ago we had more than 21 fires start from escaped pile burns on the 12th of April.
"We would like to take this opportunity to thank people for their commitment to reducing new fires this summer."
The Green Valley Talmalmo fire, which started by lightning on December 29, destroyed 22 homes and eight other dwellings on the NSW side of the border and quickly moved south into Victoria on December 31.
Volunteer firefighter Sam McPaul died when his 10-tonne fire truck flipped in a freak fire storm. Six other RFS volunteers were also injured fighting the fire.
Permits will be handed out to landholders if there are no timber piles, canola windrows from midday, stubble and grass from 4pm daily, three metre ploughed or fuel free breaks, two fire units on site at a time and they notify neighbours 24 hours in advance.
"No permit, no burn," Mr Osmond said.
Landholders can visit preventbushfires.com.au to apply for a permit online.
Permit officers are also available to help at any RFS brigade across the Southern Border area.
