Total Fire Ban declared
31 January 2020
A Total Fire Ban has been declared for the Illawarra/Shoalhaven, Far South Coast, Monaro Alpine, ACT, Southern Ranges, and Southern Slopes regions tomorrow, Saturday 1 February 2020, due to forecast hot and windy conditions.
The Total Fire Ban, commencing at midnight tonight, covers the following councils:
Illawarra/Shoalhaven (Severe) — Kiama, Shellharbour, Shoalhaven, Wingecarribee, Wollondilly, Wollongong
Far South Coast (Severe) — Bega Valley, Eurobodalla
Monaro Alpine (Severe) — Snowy Monaro
Southern Ranges (Severe) — Goulburn Mulwaree, Upper Lachlan, Yass Valley, Queanbeyan-Palerang
Southern Slopes (Severe) — Cootamundra-Gundagai, Hilltops, Snowy Valleys
The NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) provides the following advice:
Under Severe and Very High fire conditions:
Well prepared homes that are actively defended can provide safety during a fire
Follow your Bush Fire Survival Plan and remain vigilant
Keep informed by listening to local radio, watching television news broadcasts and monitoring www.rfs.nsw.gov.au.
Please note: The NSW RFS may issue a Harvest Safety Alert for areas of heightened risk. Harvest operators should monitor conditions and regularly check that they are operating within guidelines.
No fires may be lit in the open and all fire permits are suspended during a Total Fire Ban. Gas and electric barbeques may be used provided certain conditions are met. Total Fire Ban rules and a map of current Total Fire Ban areas are listed at www.rfs.nsw.gov.au.
