A TOTAL fire ban was issued for Orange yesterday, with hot dry weather conditions expected to continue through to next week.
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A Bureau of Meteorology spokesman said today would be mostly sunny with temperatures expected to reach 32 degrees, accompanied by westerly and north westerly winds.
He said tomorrow would be hotter, with temperatures expected to reach 34 degrees and a chance of showers or thunderstorms later in the afternoon.
“We are not expecting temperatures to return to the low 20s until Tuesday, it’s still going to be high 20s on Monday,” the spokesperson said.
Rural Fire Service Canobolas Zone operations officer Brett Bowden said people needed to follow fire ban precautions. He warned people not to drive vehicles through long grass or use power tools in open areas.
“We are averaging 10 fires a week at the moment in our zone,” he said.
“Most are being caused by harvesting operations in Cabonne and Cowra districts.
“There have also been a few roadside fires, but the vast majority relate to actions people undertake outdoors.
“We’d like to remind them to minimise the use of vehicles in grassed areas.”
Mr Bowden said the warning applied to all vehicle types including cars, all-terrain vehicles, lawnmowers and tractors, which could all cause grass fires that could rapidly spread and become a threat to homes and livestock.
He said the same warnings applied to using power tools, and welders and angle grinders should not be used in open areas.
The lighting of all fires, including camp cooking fires and solid fuel barbecues is banned and conditions are in place for people using gas heated barbecues, which must be 20 metres from a dwelling and have a water source such as a hose available.
