AS the region faces severe bushfire conditions on Tuesday, Canobolas Zone Rural Fire Service is prepared to fight fires close to home and further afield.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Windy conditions are predicted for Orange, starting at 29km/h in the morning and rising to 38km/h in the afternoon with a top of 27 degrees and an extreme UV index rating.
Zone manager Superintendent David Hoadley said a strike team would be assembled for the zone on Tuesday, with more strike teams prepared in the Dubbo area.
"The strike team will basically consist of five vehicles plus two or three crew on each and a strike team leader," he said.
With catastrophic fire conditions predicted across much of the state on Tuesday and a total fire ban in place, Mr Hoadley said any fire to erupt would be difficult to contain or control and urged people to be cautious.
"We urge them not to do anything that could possibly cause a fire - no welding or grinding, don't go slashing, leave the machinery in the shed," he said.
"We're encouraging volunteers to make themselves available over the next period of time to do a three-day stint or a shorter stint, whatever they can."
It's only very early in the fire season and it's stretched everyone's resources.
- Zone manager Superintendent David Hoadley
Meanwhile, five firefighters from the Canobolas zone and three staff members were sent to the northern NSW fires in September and they remain on five-day rotations.
Three trucks from Towac, Northwest and Springside brigades also remain in service.
"The feedback is there's a lot of fire and a lot of work still to be done - we need rain to help solve the problem," Superintendent Hoadley said.
"It's only very early in the fire season and it's stretched everyone's resources."
- READ ALSO: State of emergency declared in NSW
Electric barbecues can be used during total fire bans for cooking provided they are under the direct control of a responsible adult, who is present at all times and no combustible material is allowed within two metres.
Gas barbecues are also allowed under the same conditions, but users must have access to an immediate and continuous supply of water, the barbecue must be within 20 metres of a permanent private dwelling or approved within a designated picnic area.
DO YOU WANT MORE ORANGE NEWS?
Receive our free newsletters delivered to your inbox, as well as breaking news alerts. Sign up below ...