Forests NSW lifts solid fuel fire bans Central West

With the onset of milder weather conditions Forests NSW has announced that its Solid Fuel Fire Ban has been lifted in most State forests in the central west region. However, the ban will stay in place until the end of April for Canobolas State Forest near Orange and the State forests near Neville.

Forests NSW forest supervisor Brian Boyd said the Solid Fuel Fire Ban had been operating since 1 November last year.

During the Solid Fuel Fire Ban period all fires using solid fuel such as wood or charcoal were prohibited to minimise the risk of campfires escaping into forest.

Mr Boyd said that implementation of the Solid Fuel Fire Ban during the past five months had again potentially saved thousands of hectares of valuable forest and property from the damaging effects of wildfire.

While the lighting of campfires will be permitted in properly constructed fireplaces (clear of all flammable matter for three metres), it is still important that people take care with their campfires to ensure they are properly extinguished.

In particular, Mr Boyd said it would be preferable if campers completely extinguished campfires with water rather than covering a smouldering fire with sand or soil before leaving the forest.

“The removal of the ban will allow school holiday campers to enjoy the benefit of a traditional campfire during the Easter period,” he said.

For further information on the Solid Fuel Fire Ban contact Forests NSW regional office at Bathurst on (02) 6331 2044.