The NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) is reminding Hornsby Ku-ring-gai District and surrounding residents that fire safety permits are required during the statutory Bush Fire Danger Period.
NSW RFS Inspector Rolf Poole said hotter and drier conditions mean fires are more likely to start and spread quickly during the Bush Fire Danger Period, which officially begun on 1st October.
“From now until the end of the Bush Fire Danger Period, people wishing to light a fire in the open will require a fire safety permit, which are free and can be obtained from your local fire station or Fire Control Centre,” Inspector Poole said.
Residents are encouraged to maintain their properties and prepare for the bush fires by removing dead vegetation and combustible material from around the home. Some Councils allow for pile burning in designated rural areas and each Council may have differing requirements. The local Council may require landowners or occupiers wishing to conduct open burning to obtain an environmental approval to burn, before obtaining a fire safety permit from NSW RFS.
NSWRFS can provide advice to residents on the appropriate ways to conduct safe open burning and the Fire Safety Permit process is an additional measure during the Bush Fire Danger Period to help reduce the escape of fires.
“Residents should be aware and check the rules and regulations for conducting burning in the open, including contacting their Local Government Council regarding environmental approvals,” Inspector Poole said.
“We urge all residents in the Hornsby Ku-ring-gai and surrounding areas to be vigilant and extremely careful with fire during the Bush Fire Danger Period,” Inspector Poole said.
“Every resident should have a Bush Fire Survival Plan so they know what to do on days of increased fire danger and can immediately put their plan into action if their home is threatened by fire.”
Information about Fire Weather Warnings and Total Fire Ban declarations is published at www.rfs.nsw.gov.au . Locals can also call the Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Fire Control Centre on 9883 2000 or the Bushfire Information Line on 1800 NSW RFS (1800 679 737).
