Go gas to avoid wildfire - solid fuel fire ban (Riverina)

Solid Fuel Fire Bans will be introduced in State forests in the Riverina Region of south-western NSW from midnight on Wednesday 1 November.

Forests NSW Riverina operations and fire manager based at Deniliquin, Larry Carey, said Forests NSW enforced a Solid Fuel Fire Ban when conditions were such that the lighting of fires was likely to result in the ignition of a wild fire.

“The ban restricts the use of open fires because forest fuels are dry, increasing the risk of campfires escaping into the forests,” he said.
The ban applies in NSW State forests along the Murray River from Howlong to Tooleybuc and along the Edward and Murrumbidgee River systems.

“Under the seasonal fire ban, all fires using solid fuels such as wood or charcoal are prohibited at all times,” Mr Carey said.

“These forests are very popular with people from NSW and Victoria during the holiday period and since we introduced the Solid Fuel Fire Bans in 1990 they have proved to be very effective in reducing wildfires.

“Many hundreds of hectares of river red gum forest have potentially been spared from fire and the bans have also improved safety for forest visitors.

“Gas appliances are not affected by the bans, but care should still be taken when using them in the forests. We are asking campers who may be coming into the forests during the summer to bring gas appliances.”.

He said the Solid Fuel Fire Ban applied every day throughout summer and not just on days of declared Total Fire Ban (TOBAN).

Mr Carey said that signs warning of the Solid Fuel Fire Ban would be erected on all major roads leading into State forests affected by the restrictions.

Failure to comply with the Solid Fuel Fire Ban restrictions carries a maximum penalty of $2200.

For further information about the fire bans, contact Forests NSW Riverina Region on (03) 5881 9999.