The NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) is urging land managers and landholders undertaking hazard reduction to carefully consider current weather conditions.
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It comes after firefighters across the state had to be called to contain and extinguish escaped hazard reduction burns during the past week.
NSW RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said hundreds of firefighters have attended a number of escaped hazard reduction or pile burns in areas including the Bega Valley, Mid North Coast, New England, Northern Rivers, Northern Tablelands, Wingecarribee and Wollondilly.
In the past fortnight, NSW RFS crews have been called to at least 142 reported escaped or illegal landowner burns across the state.
Group captain of Mid Coast RFS Ian Firett said people must always follow the strict rules when burning on their property.
“People need to make sure they have the proper measures in place in case something goes wrong,” he said.
“That includes having proper containment lines around the fire, have water on site in case the fire escapes and have to be there at all times while the fire is burning.”
He said this time of year is a drier time as the frost dries the land out quickly, another reason for people to be extra careful.
“While anyone can do hazard reduction it’s important that they follow the rules,” he said.
“They have to notify a fire control centre and their neighbours 24 hours in advance.”
Landholders who fail to notify firefighters and neighbours face fines of up to $5,500 and/or 12 months jail while escaped fires attract penalties of up to $110,000 and/or five years prison.
“The dryness of the landscape and the lack of rain is worrying, especially when you take into account the number of hazard reduction burns that had to be postponed during the past two years due to unfavourable weather conditions,” Commissioner Fitzsimmons said.
“With the Bush Fire Danger Period fast approaching, beginning on August 1 in some areas in the state’s north, I encourage everyone to start preparing their property now, including checking and maintaining your firefighting equipment, and to make or update your bush fire survival plan.”
Information about hazard reduction burning and required notifications is available on the NSW RFS website at http://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/fire-information/BFDP.
