While a nice warm fire might sound like just what the doctor ordered as the mercury plummets, Canobolas Zone Rural Fire Service is warning wind can still whip up flames that have been dormant for up to a week.
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The RFS responded to six call-outs to blazes in the Canobolas Zone on Tuesday, with five of those fires that had been rustled up by warmer weather and blustery conditions, while the sixth was from a burn-off which hadn’t been registered.
Canobolas Zone RFS operations manager Brett Bowden said the drought had left the region exceptionally dry for this time of year and encouraged residents to be vigilant.
“Most of the fires had been out for a week or more,” Mr Bowden said.
He said all the fires were “easily dealt with”, with all bar one simply grass fires, with the largest one three acres, but it was a reminder how easily vegetation can burn with how dry conditions are.
“Normally at this time of year it’s green and lush, and the same thing naturally occurs but it doesn’t catch because the vegetation is too green,” Mr Bowden said.
“What it does do is remind people to be careful when burning off, and to pay attention to weather conditions which could potentially re-light these fires.
“It’s important that for all 12 months of the year you notify people of the intention to burn off – by law you need to notify your neighbours and us.”
Max Stainkamph
Max joined the CWD in September 2017, leaving the big smoke of Melbourne to come to Orange, where he stayed until 2020.
Max joined the CWD in September 2017, leaving the big smoke of Melbourne to come to Orange, where he stayed until 2020.
