While the rain can make us feel safe from the threat of fire, and floods are the more recent disaster in our memories, it is important to prepare your home and property for the fire season.
To help with this the Rural Fire Service (RFS) are running a series of face-to-face Get Ready Weekend events and Main Arm Fire Brgade is running one on Sunday September 18 at the Main Arm Store between 1pm and 4pm.
Camille Feneon from the Main Arm Brigade said, ‘Preparing your home is common sense and can be simple’.
‘In September, every year, NSW RFS Brigades will be out in your community helping you to get ready with advice, guidelines and resources,’ said
Ms Feneon is reminding everyone of the importance of preparing your Bushfire Survival Plan, knowing what you will do in the case of a bushfire, and how you can keep yourself and your family safe.
‘Preparing your home is common sense and can be simple,’ she said.
Fire permits needed
The beginning of spring on September 1 also marked the start of fire permit season.
From September 1, any person wishing to light a fire in the Tweed, Byron, or Ballina local government areas will require a permit.
‘With conditions becoming more conducive to the spread of fire, people now need to be extremely careful when using fire,’ said North Coast RFS Superintendent David Cook.
‘With the commencement of the Bushfire Danger Period, anybody wishing to light a fire on their property will require a permit from their local fire station or fire control centre.
‘However, even with a permit you need to check whether a Total Fire Ban is in force before lighting any fires’.
Hazard reduction
District Manager, Superintendent David Cook said the RFS encourages all residents to continue with their hazard reduction activities and ensure their properties are properly prepared for the bushfire season.
‘We have all recently seen the devastation that bushfires can bring to a community, so I strongly advise residents to contact their local brigades and use their expertise to assist in carrying out safe and successful hazard reductions,’ said Superintendent Cook.
‘Never leave a fire unattended and always ensure you have firefighting equipment on hand, such as a full knapsack, spray pumper or hand-held chemical fire extinguisher in good working order.
‘If the fire does escape, it is essential to call Triple Zero (000) immediately so that emergency services can respond accordingly and minimise the damage.
‘Serious penalties, including fines and/or imprisonment, apply for anyone allowing a fire to escape and damage property and the environment’ said Superintendent Cook.
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