BUSH FIRE SEASON IS HERE – RESIDENTS URGED TO PREPARE

By Sarah Waters

The NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) has brought forward the start of Bush Fire Danger Period in Tweed to September 1.

Previously it started on October 1 each year.

The NSW RFS made the decision to permanently bring the Bush Fire Danger Period forward by a month due to changing climate patterns, including longer dry periods and less predictable rainfall.

Residents living in bush fre prone areas need to prepare now for the upcoming bush fre season by knowing your risk, preparing your home and having a Bush Fire Survival Plan in place.

There are a number of

Preventative Measures

residents can take to prepare for a bush fre.

These include cleaning gutters of leaves and twigs, installing metal gutter guards, repairing damaged roof tiles, attaching a fre sprinkler system to gutters and keeping lawns short and gardens well maintained.

Residents are also advised to cut back trees and shrubs overhanging buildings, ft seals around doors and windows to eliminate gaps and have a hose long enough to reach around the house.

If you have a pool, tank or dam, put a Static Water Supply (SWS) sign on your property entrance, so frefghters know where they can get water. Keeping home and contents insurance up to date is also advised. au/resources/bush-fresurvival-plan.

The NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) has brought forward the Bush Fire Danger Period to September 1 in more than 25 local government areas across the state. For help preparing your plan visit rfs.nsw.gov.

Having a plan in place could save a life and it only takes 10 minutes to complete.

To report a bush fre hazard near your property, submit a Bush Fire Hazard Complaint Form at rfs.nsw.gov. au/plan-and-prepare/ know-your-risk/ Bush-fre-hazards-andyour-property/reportinga-bush-fre-hazard2.

NSW Rural Fire Service will come and inspect the site.

Residents are also reminded they must get a fre permit before lighting any fre during the Bush Fire Danger Period.

To apply for a permit, contact your local Fire Control Centre or visit rfs.nsw.gov.au.