Go gas to avoid wildfire - solid fuel fire ban (Tumut, Batlow, Tumbarumba)

A Solid Fuel Fire Ban is now in force in State forests around Tumut, Tumbarumba and Batlow areas and will carry through until March next year.

The exception will be along the western side of Blowering Dam and in the camping areas in Bago State Forest around Paddy’s River Dam, where campfires will be allowed only at the designated campsites and only up until New Year.

Weather conditions will be monitored and if necessary restrictions will be invoked earlier. Under no circumstances are campfires permitted inside the forest itself or away from these designated campsites.

Forests NSW Resources and Protection manager, Charlie Taylor, said the ban restricted the use of open fires, because where forest fuels are dry there is a significant risk of campfires escaping into the forests.

“This summer’s seasonal conditions have been mild to date with some regular rainfall, which has delayed the start of the Solid Fuel Fire Ban. However, there is a lot of grass in the forest, which increases the risk of camp fires escaping,” he said.

The Solid Fuel Fire 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 Taylor said.

“Gas appliances are not affected by the Solid Fuel Fire 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.

“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.

“These forests are popular with people during the holiday period, and the introduction of Solid Fuel Fire Bans has proved a very effective way of reducing the number of wild fires.”

Mr Taylor said the Solid Fuel Fire Ban in State forests applied every day throughout summer and not just on days of declared Total Fire Ban.

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 Tumut Office on (02) 6947 3911.