People on the South Coast are being urged to be aware of the dangerous fire conditions in the area today.
A Fire Weather Warning and Extreme Fire Danger Rating are current for the Eurobdoalla and Bega Valley Shires all day today (September 19) with a Total Fire Ban also in effect.
Increasing hot and dry north to northwesterly winds as well as tempretures in the mid to high 30s will lead to dangerous fire weather conditions in the Eurobodalla and Bega Valley on Tuesday.
Chris Anderson from the Far South Coast RFS said people should take action now to check bushfire plans and ensure property is fire ready.
“Today has been declared an Extreme Fire Danger Rating and we’re asking people across the Far South Coast to take action now to protect life and property,” RFS District Coordinator Anderson said.
“Fires burning under these conditions can be dangerous,” he said.
“Please check your bushfire survival plan and ensure your property is ready.”
“Today has also been delcared a total fire ban across the South Coast, there’s significant penalties for lighting a fire during a total fire ban.”
The total fire ban has for the Bega Valley and Eurobodalla came into effect for 24 hours as of 12:01am today.
The NSW Rural Fire Service provides the following advice for people on the South Coast.
Under Extreme fire conditions:
-Take action now to protect your life and property.
-These are dangerous fire conditions.
-Check your bush fire plan and ensure that your property is fire ready.
-Monitor the fire and weather situation through your local radio station, rfs.nsw.gov.au and bom.gov.au
-If a fire starts, take immediate action.
-If you and your property are not prepared to the highest level, go to a safer location well before the fire impacts.
-Reconsider travel through bush fire risk areas.
-Call 000 (Triple Zero) in an emergency.
Please note: The NSW RFS may issue a Harvest Safety Alert for areas of heightened risk. Harvest operators should monitor conditions and regularly check that they are operating within guidelines.
No fires may be lit in the open and all fire permits are suspended during a Total Fire Ban.
Gas and electric barbeques may be used provided certain conditions are met.
Total Fire Ban rules and a map of current Total Fire Ban areas are listed at rfs.nsw.gov.au.
Images: RFS, Fire and Rescue
