Total Fire Ban Declared for Tomorrow

A total fire ban has been declared for tomorrow starting at midnight tonight for the Upper Hunter Region with the level being rated as severe.

If you are travelling total fire bans have been declared in the Greater Sydney, Greater Hunter, Illawarra / Shoalhaven, Central Ranges, Far South Coast, Far Western, Lower Central West Plains, Northern Riverina, Northern Slopes, North Western, South Western and Upper Central West Plains regions.

Kingdon Ponds Rural Fire Brigade Captain Don Maclean urges people to be prepared.

“People should look at their bushfire plans and take action according to the bushfire plan when it’s at a severe rating,” Don Maclean said.

“They should look to how they are going to deal with their horses and pets during the high temperatures of the next two days.

“The fire ban is listed for one day and there will be a determination at five o’clock on Saturday for Sunday but the long term forecast we are seeing is there will be a high fire danger on Sunday as well.

“A total fire ban means you can not have any open flame, electric barbeques are ok as long as they are near the house, any kind of cooking fire or recreational fire is banned during the period of total fire ban.

“The fire ban has come about because of the the high winds, the low humidity along with the very low fuel moisture readings we are getting of the timber country and the grass country in our area,” said Don Maclean.

For more information or assistance in developing your plan go to the Rural Fire Service website www.rfs.nsw.gov.au