BUSHFIRE season is under way and the state’s rural fire chief has warned residents to prepare their homes.
NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons has warned of above-average fire risks in coming months, exacerbated by the recent rainfall.
‘‘We’re expecting what’s described as an ‘above normal’ sort of season,’’ he said.
About 20 councils brought forward their bushfire seasons to September 1.
Bushfire season traditionally starts on October 1.
‘‘[The early starts] were indicative of just how dry the vegetation and the landscape was and with the onset of some strong winds out of the west, we saw fires starting easily and spreading very quickly, and that was without warm conditions,’’ Mr Fitzsimmons said.
Mr Fitzsimmons said by December ‘‘a fair chunk’’ of the state would be vulnerable to fires.
‘‘All the outlooks ahead for the next three months are for a continuance of above average temperatures and below average rainfall,’’ he said.
He urged residents in high risk areas to prepare their homes and download the service’s Bushfire Survival Plan.
‘‘Now it’s really important for people in fire-prone areas to actually have a plan, have a conversation with the family, prepare the home and know what they’re going to do when threatened by fire,’’ he said.
‘‘Preparation is the key.’’
■ Keep reading this website next week for the rest of our bushfire season stories on emergency kits and plans, bushfire resistant gardens and building design, products and the need to survive for 72 hours without outside help.
