A South Coast RFS alleges thieves targeted a moveable sign. Photo: Malua Bay Rural Fire Brigade/Facebook.
Coastal RFS volunteers have slammed alleged thieves, who they say stole wheels from a message board – just as a warning has been issued for an increased fire risk in the south-east of the state.
A spokesperson for the Malua Bay Rural Fire Brigade said the wheels were taken from their variable message sign trailer.
“We will report it to the police shortly, but if anyone has seen any shifty-looking want-to-be gangsters with fancy new wheels or witnessed the grubs in action, please let us or the police know,” they wrote on social media.
“It would be nice to have these evil miscreants apprehended, and the wheels returned.
“We will now have to source some new wheels and tyres and remove them every time we shift the trailer, which will be a real nuisance.”
The discovery was made as the region prepares for the upcoming bushfire season.
NSW Rural Fire Service acting district manager for the Far South Coast Superintendent Chris Anderson called on residents to prepare.
“We’ve been hearing a lot of references to big fire seasons,” he told Region.
“I guess the easiest way to put that would be alert, but not alarmed.”
In their seasonal outlook, the Australian and New Zealand Council for Fire and Emergency Services (AFAC) warned of an increased fire risk for the NSW south-east.
“I guess everyone has seen the AFAC mapping now,” Mr Anderson said.
“The Far South Coast has the potential for what we call an above average fire season.
“I will say it has the potential – we’re not guaranteed.”
He said his region, which covers Eurobodalla and Bega Valley shires, was facing “exceptionally dry” conditions with large swaths of cured grass.
“Although the last six months have been dry, we’re not coming off years of sustained drought either, which is a really important thing to know,” he said.
“But the last couple of years have been wetter years, as well.”
Mr Anderson said the area’s brigades were “on track” with their preparation, which included a “very significant and successful” hazard reduction burn program during autumn.
“We’re undertaking a lot of interface inspections at the moment.
“There’s a lot of work going on behind the scenes … We are being prepared for the upcoming season.”
He also said residents should watch conditions and be ready to act.
“Now is the time to prepare. Once the smoke is in the air, it’s too late,” he said.
“We’re really urging them to jump onto the RFS website, create a bushfire survival plan and undertake their individual property preparation.
“There is a mountain of resources within the RFS website to assist you with this, as well.”
You can learn how to create a bushfire survival plan by visiting myfireplan.
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