Fires are raging around the world as climate change continues to impact, and average temperatures continue to climb, and while we may be enjoying what feels like a rare bit of sunshine in the Northern Rivers, with a strong to super El Niño coming our way, now is the time to prepare for the fire season.

After an unseasonably wet winter, the grass is growing like the clappers and the undergrowth isn’t far behind. It’s creating a large fuel load that significantly increases the risk of local fires as things dry out.

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. 

For the North Coast, fire season kicked off early on September 1, and if you are a rural dweller, it’s worth considering what fire plan you have.

Anyone wanting to light a fire almost anywhere in NSW, including across the Northern Rivers, will need a permit until further notice.

The Rural Fire Service had already declared an early start to the bushfire danger season for areas on the Northern Rivers in August but last week added another 53 local government areas to the list.

A man has been charged with deliberately lighting a fire near Casino in northern NSW.

In a move described as ‘irresponsible’, 14 National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) senior managers have been sacked, regions amalgamated and officers required to reapply for the new positions under a state government reshuffle in the middle of the fire season.

A controlled burn on the outskirts of Lismore yesterday evening provided a timely reminder that the bushfire season is almost upon us, as new laws for vegetation clearing and fines for fire-related offences come into force tomorrow.