Heat is on campers at Ophir to obey fire ban

The Rural Fire Service Canobolas Zone’s community safety officer Geoff Selwood said the ban covered the use of a fuel such as wood and charcoal although there were no restrictions on the use of gas barbecues.

Mr Selwood confirmed police had already been called to campers at the Fourth Crossing who refused to extinguish their fire on Sunday.

“We might be panicking but be don’t want to put people, assets and nature at risk,” he said.

Mr Selwood said the reserve was “similar country” to the area around Long Point which was badly damaged by fire last week.

“Everything there is tinder dry,” Mr Selwood said.

“It would be very hard to do anything if fire breaks out there.”

The fact that other areas of the country are also bracing themselves for potential fire outbreak means it would be hard to call on resources from other regions Mr Selwood said.

Learne Spicer, the secretary of the Ophir Reserve Trust that oversees the running of the 560 hector reserve, said it’s important people be sensible when camping in the area.

“Strong winds and no rainfall are expected over the next few days ... this place is just like Long Point and it wouldn’t take long for it to go up in flames.”

A solid fuel fire ban is also in place in all national parks until March.

tracey.prisk@fairfaxmedia.com.au