Go gas to avoid wildfire – soild fuel fire ban

Forest fire bans will be introduced in State forests in the Riverina Region of south-western NSW from midnight on Friday 2 December.

Forestry Corporation Riverina operations and fire manager based at Deniliquin Larry Carey said Forestry Corporation enforced a Solid Fuel Fire Ban when conditions are such that the lighting of fires was likely to result in the ignition of a wildfire.

‘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 forest 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 forest fire bans in 1990 they have proved to be very effective in reducing wildfires.

‘Many hundreds of hectares of river red gum forest has 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 forest fire bans applied every day throughout summer and not just on days of declared Total Fire Ban (TOBAN).

Mr Carey said that signs warning of the Forest 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 Forestry Corporation Riverina Region on 03 5881 2266.

Media contact: Sarah Chester on 02 6036 2110 or 0417 207 669.