NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) said that despite a severe drought in the Central West there has been a decline in bushfire incidents in the current season.
The incidents were down because of favourable weather conditions and rainfall in October and beginning of November.
NSW RFS attended more than 2000 fire incidents in September compared with nearly 500 bush and grass fire incidents across NSW in October.
Bushfire incidents also reduced by more than 50 per cent in the Central West in October.
For instance, Orange reported 47 bushfire incidents between July 1 and November 14 this year compared with 50 incidents during the same period last year.
Dubbo experienced 78 bushfire incidents between July 1 and November 14 this year compared with 175 during the same period last year.
Similarly, NSW RFS has attended 32 bush and grass fire incidents in Bathurst compared with 61 such incidents last year.
Fire incidents remained almost the same in Young (28) and Lithgow (24).
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NSW RFS spokesperson Ben Shepherd said fire incidents might be down, but it didnt mean that the risk was over.
“We still have a long way to get through this fire season. There are still four to five months to this fire season before we hit March-April next year,” Mr Shepherd said.
“We are still to move into the hottest part of the year. When the heatwave starts in the state, the risk will also start.
“We are asking everyone, if they live close to bush or grass lands they still need to be ready and have fire rescue plans.”
Mr Shepherd said the firefighting department was expecting heatwaves to begin from next week and the temperatures to reach the mid-30s.
Until two months ago, the NSW RFS was more worried about forest fires in areas such as Lithgow, and less concerned about grassland fires in areas such as Orange, Bathurst and Dubbo in the wake of 100 per cent drought in the state.
But recent rainfall has changed the situation across the Central West.
“There is a higher chance of fire in forested areas and through the ranges, but we still need to monitor – especially those grass areas which recently had good rainfall,” Mr Shepherd said.
“We know that grass will quickly grow once it gets little bit of heat. But if there is no follow-up rain, then it is likely to dry up quickly and become fire prone.”
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NSW RFS said it has more than 100 aircraft at its disposal to deal with bushfires and a record 33 aircraft are being contracted in the state this season.
Firefighters are advising residents to trim overhanging trees and shrubs, mow grass and remove cuttings, remove combustible materials that can burn from around home, clear and remove all debris and leaves from gutters and prepare a sturdy hose or hoses that will reach all around the home.
This story Bushfire incidents are down, but danger still lurks in Central West first appeared on Western Advocate.
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