Farmers urged to prepare now for worsening fire conditions
2 Jan 2020
Farmers and livestock managers in South-East NSW have been urged to prepare properties and move stock where possible, ahead of severe fire danger predicted for Saturday.
The warning is for the Monaro Alpine, Southern and Central Ranges, and Southern Slopes areas.
With conditions expected to significantly deteriorate in the State’s south-east in coming days, Landholders are urged to act early to relocate animals and assets to a safer place on or off their property.
The safest options for livestock remaining on a property at risk of fire are:
- Large heavily grazed or ploughed paddocks, or a number of paddocks with internal gates locked open to allow livestock to escape the fire
- Large, clear stockyards
- Large dams with earth mounded on a minimum of two fireward sides
If animals are to remain on a property at risk of fire, landholders should: ensure all resources are in an accessible and known location; fill all water troughs and any additional containers; and, turn off power sources such as electrical fences.
If a safe area for livestock is unavailable, landholders should open internal gates or cut internal fencing to give animals opportunities to escape danger - however, animals should never be let loose on roads.
More information is available from the NSW DPI website.
Landholders with access to safe transport options should consider relocating animals, however transport options may be limited due to demand and the ongoing fire situation. Check www.livetraffic.com to ensure you have the latest information before you travel.
There are a number of self-care large animal safe places set up across the fire affected areas, more details are available from dpi.nsw.gov.au/bushfires.
Landholders impacted by bushfire who require assistance with emergency fodder and water, or with livestock assessment can call the Agricultural and Animal Services Hotline on 1800 814 647.
In an emergency call 000.
NSW Department of Primary Industries and Local Land Services, through the Agricultural and Animal Services Functional Area, have so far provided 10,000 tonnes of emergency fodder and 7,500KL of emergency water to more than 3,000 landholders.
Media contact: (02) 6391 3686
