Go gas to avoid wildfire - Solid Fuel Fire Ban (Monaro)

A Solid Fuel Fire Ban is now in force throughout State forests in the south east of NSW, including plantations around Bombala, Tallaganda and Moss Vale areas and coastal native forests south of Cobargo and east of Bombala.

The ban will carry through until March next year.

Forests NSW Resources Protection Manager, Jason Vincent, said the ban restricted the use of open fires because forest fuels were dry, increasing the risk of campfires escaping into the forests.

The ban applies to all NSW State forests in the region, which includes pine plantations and native forests.

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

"The pine plantations and native forests are a highly valuable resource and are particularly important to the regional economy.

"It is essential that every effort is made to reduce the chance of damage to the forests by wildfire.

"Banning solid fuel campfires in the forest areas, helps prevent the chance of a fire escaping and destroying these valuable forests, and also improves safety for forest visitors."

He 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.

"These forests are popular with people during the holiday period, and the introduction of a Solid Fuel Fire Ban has proved to be a very effective way of reducing wild fires.

"We are asking campers who may be coming into the forests during the summer to bring gas appliances. Gas appliances are not affected by the Solid Fuel Fire Ban, but care should still be taken when using them in the forests," Mr Vincent said.

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

Mr Vincent said that signs warning of the Solid Fuel Fire Ban had been erected on 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 Monaro Regional office on (02) 6458 3177 or the Eden office on 1300 880 548.

Further reading

Sustainable recreation, sport, tourism and training in State forests