The bushfire danger season will start early for another 21 local government areas in New South Wales, following a “problematic” increase in grass growth.
The bushfire danger period for the entire state starts on Oct. 1 each year, but is brought forward where necessary based on local conditions.
NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Rob Rogers says 27 areas will now be under fire restrictions from Sept. 1 due to “problematic” grass growth.
The growth—once dry or cured—could pose an “unwelcome threat” of fires, he said.
Landowners and managers in these areas will be required to obtain a permit before lighting any fires, including hazard reduction burns.
Rogers also urged people not to be lulled in to a false sense of security by a forecast wet start to the season.
“Update your bush fire survival plan and have the conversation with your family about what you will do during a fire—including where you‘ll go, what you’ll take and what you'll do with animals,” he said in a statement.
Some 25 people—including three RFS volunteers—died over the past bushfire season while almost 2500 homes were razed and 5.5 million hectares burnt.
There were six days in which “catastrophic” fire danger ratings were set.
Emergency Services Minister David Elliott last week said the government had already tipped an additional $45 million into the state’s firefighting response for the upcoming season, while the RFS had purchased 120 new fire trucks.
He said he would enact further reforms ahead of this year’s fire season if necessary.
The areas joining Armidale, Walcha, Uralla, Glen Innes Severn, Inverell and Tenterfield in early restrictions are: * Muswellbrook * Singleton * Mid-Coast * Port Macquarie-Hastings * Clarence Valley * Ballina * Byron * Tweed Nambucca * Kempsey * Bellingen * Coffs Harbour * Lismore * Richmond Valley * Kyogle * Gunnedah * Liverpool Plains * Upper Hunter * Bega Valley * Eurobodalla * Shoalhaven
