Fire Rating Expected to Worse

ALL fire permits are suspended in the Upper Hunter Shire Council area due to a very high fire danger and local fire fighters warn a total fire ban is on the horizon as the weather is expected to deteriorate during the next few days.

Scott McPherson, district assistant for learning and development, Liverpool Range Fire Service, said the season is slightly late this year, but the amount of feed which is drying rapidly could create a serious fire danger.

“The fire season is late due to all of the wet weather, but that being said because of all the growth and the change in the grass curing with the incoming heat it’s not looking good,” said Mr McPherson.

“We’re really trying to encourage people to keep their properties well maintained,” he said.

“A lot of fires have been started recently by people grinding and welding in an open paddock and not having the right precautions in place,” Scott McPherson said.

During a very high fire danger people can still light BBQ’s on private properties, provided they area cleared of combustible materials within two metres, an adult is present and it can readily be extinguished.

The Upper Hunter Shire area is within the Liverpool Range Fire Service, but within the Greater Hunter weather zone for fire warnings.

To check the fire rating for Greater Hunter visit the NSW Rural Fire Service website: Fire Ratings.