Persistent gusty winds and a lengthy dry spell have heightened the risk of fast-moving winter grass fires, the Illawarra’s rural firefighting authority has warned.
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The NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) Illawarra District has urged landholders not to become complacent during cool, mid-winter conditions after firefighters across the state extinguished dozens of escaped hazard reduction or pile burns in recent weeks.
A number of RFS units put out an escaped burn at Otford on Monday afternoon.
There have also been a number of grass fires – including two in the Avondale area and one at Kembla Grange – in the past week.
“We are certainly concerned about the lack of rain and with the winds there is certainly a higher chance of hazard reductions escaping, particularly pile burns,” Illawarra RFS district officer Matt Reeves said.
The RFS has urged landholders to consider the weather conditions not only on the day of a burn-off but also for the ensuing days.
Mr Reeves said extinguished pile burns could re-ignite days later in windy conditions.
The bushfire danger period begins on October 1.