RFS members from Quaama, Brogo and Verona at the Quaama Memorial Park. Photo: Shane Fitzsimmons via Twitter.
The current unseasonably warm weather and gusty winds is a timely reminder to prepare for the bushfire season. As of Sunday, 1 September, permits are required to light a fire in the Eurobodalla and Bega Valley shires within the rural fire district.
Far South Coast NSW RFS coordinator Chris Anderson said based on its work with the Bureau of Meteorology at the moment the RFS was anticipating a “normal” bushfire danger for the 2024/25 season. “Obviously local conditions can change with significant dry periods or rain but we are anticipating a normal fire season,” he said.
However, people must be mindful of the conditions. “Over the past month on the Far South Coast we haven’t seen very much rain and a fair bit of wind. That will dry us out a little bit more and grass is drying faster,” he said.
“We should all be prepared,” Mr Anderson said.
That preparation includes keeping lawns mowed and removing any flammable material, such as wood, stored near the house. The RFS also recommends trimming trees and shrubs overhanging the roof, cleaning gutters, and having sturdy hoses that will completely reach around the house.
Far South Coast landowners within the rural fire district will need permits to light fires in the open from 1 September. Photo: NSW RFS Southern Tablelands Zone Facebook.
For people unable to do that for themselves and without friends or family to do it for them, the RFS has its AIDER program. The free, one-off service is for people on bushfire-prone land who are infirm, disabled, elderly or receiving community assistance and services.
To help those people prepare for the fire danger season the service could include clearing gutters, thinning vegetation around the home, removing leaf and tree debris, trimming branches from close to the home, and mowing or slashing long grass.
To find out more or apply for the AIDER program, head to the dedicated page on the RFS website.
In addition to clearing properties in readiness for the bushfire season, Mr Anderson said it is also time to review bushfire survival plans.
“It is a great time to talk about this with your family and update it if anything has changed since the last bushfire period,” he said. “Understand what you are going to do because once the bushfire has started it is too late. Now is the time to do it.”
Far South Coast RFS brigades will be holding a Get Ready Weekend during September. “I really encourage everyone to go to their local RFS and have these conversations with their RFS volunteers.” Check the RFS website for the date of your local brigade’s Get Ready Weekend.
A key message if there is a fire is to leave early. “That is the safest thing we can suggest,” Mr Anderson said.
A recent hazard reduction burn ahead of the 2024/25 bushfire danger period. Photo: NSW RFS.
Also, each fire is different. For example “there were some very poor weather conditions” for the Coolagolite Road bushfire last October.
Mr Anderson said to follow the directions and advice of local authorities during a fire. Advice will differ according to where the fire is and what it is expected to do.
For information during bushfires he also pointed people to the RFS website, hazardsnearme app and local ABC radio stations (Batemans Bay/Moruya 103.5 FM, Bega 810 AM and Eden 106.3 FM).
The RFS always welcomes volunteers and there are roles for anyone keen to lend a hand. In addition to the operational firefighting brigades, the RFS has teams responsible for catering, support and communications throughout the Bega Valley and Eurobodalla shires.
“If anyone is interested, pop down to the local RFS at the Get Ready Weekend,” Mr Anderson said. “We have a position for everyone.”
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