Campfires and barbecues using wood, charcoal or other solid fuels will be banned in all Inverell, Gunnedah, Gular and Pilliga State forests from October 1 until further notice.
The decision has been made in an effort to reduce the risk of bushfires this summer.
Forestry Corporation of NSW’s Conan Rossler said campers and visitors can continue to bring and use gas stoves.
Use of this equipment will be permitted in state forests during the solid fuel ban, but will not be allowed if a total fire ban is declared.
“We have had exceptional rains across the landscape this year and, as a consequence, fuel loads are very high,” Mr Rossler said.
“Visitors to state forests need to be aware that, even though the weather is still cool, the forests will soon be vulnerable to escaped campfires.”
“This ban applies every day until it is officially lifted – not just on days when total fire bans are declared – so we are asking people, who want to to camp in the forests, to plan ahead and bring gas appliances.”
Mr Rossler says the new restrictions are common, with solid fuel fire bans being implemented sporadically in state forests since 1990.
“While we encourage people to get out into our forests and enjoy them, we need to reduce the bushfire risk during the high fire danger period,” he said.
“Solid fuel fire bans improve safety for campers and local communities – they have potentially helped save many thousands of hectares of forests from destructive fires since 1990.”
Failure to comply with the latest ban can result in a maximum penalty of $2200.
Local NSW RFS superintendent Michael Brooks reminds landowners of the rules regarding on-property fires, which also come into effect at the start of next month.
“If you’re planning to burn any time after October 1, you’ll need to have a permit,” he told The Courier in August.
“A person who lights a fire without the required approvals is guilty of an offence, with penalties including large fines and/or imprisonment.”
Information on total fire bans can be found via the NSW Rural Fire Service website.
In the event of a fire or other emergency, contact 000.
See more fire news:
- Winter fire safety around the home
- End of bushfire season but no time to become complacent, RFS warns
- Narrabri’s Fire and Rescue team awarded NSW Premier’s Bushfire Emergency Citation
