Smoke from the vast Yankees Gap Fire west of Bega hangs over the Bega Valley. Photo: Rachel Helmreich.
The NSW Rural Fire Service is asking residents across southern NSW to join with volunteer firefighters and prepare for the bushfire season during ‘Get Ready Weekend‘ this weekend (September 22 & 23).
The invitation is there to drop into your local RFS station and get involved in fun family events including kids activities, firefighting displays, opportunities to get aboard a fire truck and see specialist equipment.
Importantly you can also get information and advice on preparing your family and property for bushfire.
As our fire seasons grow longer, dryer and hotter, more and more the need to be bushfire ready is not just restricted to spring and summer.
NSW RFS Superintendent John Cullen, says, “It has already been a busy start to the fire season with more than 2000 bush and grass fires across NSW during August.”
“We currently have a 18,000ha bushfire to the west of Bega that has been burning for 5 weeks and continues to provide challenges for firefighters.
“With all of NSW in drought and a forecast of ongoing warm and dry conditions, there is the potential for a long and protracted bushfire season,” he says.
RFS stations across NSW are open this weekend, check the RFS website for events near you. Photo: NSW RFS.
Local brigades are already busy fighting fires as well as maintaining firefighting equipment and undergoing training.
“Get Ready Weekend is a chance for residents to do their bit, support our brigades and work with them,” Mr Cullen says.
“Volunteer firefighters will be available to talk to about the simple things you can do to reduce your bushfire risk.
“Preparing for bushfires is easier than people may think. It could be as simple as talking to your family about what you would do if a bushfire was to start near them.
“Get Ready Weekend on September 22 and 23 is the ideal opportunity to take that action.”
A full list of local events is available at the NSW Rural Fire Service website.
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