First fire of season a reminder of risks this summer

The first significant bushfire in the district during the early danger season has served as a reminder of the heightened risks facing rural residents this summer.

Crews were deployed to the Kaputar Road blaze on Tuesday and supported by water bombing aircraft.

The Rural Fire Service advised the incident threatened nearby properties at its peak.

Following the early declaration of the bushfire danger period across the North West, including Narrabri Shire, the RFS warned of the dangers of high fuel loads as a result of previous wet seasons.

Heightened fire danger has seen a total fire ban declared for Narrabri Shire today, Thursday, September 7.

Hot and windy conditions are forecast, increasing the fire danger.

Speaking to The Courier on Wednesday about the Kaputar Road bushfire, Narrabri-based Superintendent Michael Brooks said the fire had burnt through 40 hectares.

Water bombing aircraft have been used in the firefighting effort in addition to machinery and on-the-ground crews.

Firefighting efforts were being consolidated on Wednesday and Supt Brooks said work on the day was focused on strengthening containment lines.

Supt Brooks said fire risk in the shire would continue to increase as the weather warms up.

“Our members say good fences make good neighbours but good fire breaks make better neighbours,” he said.

Speaking with The Courier recently about the early danger season, Supt Brooks said the rural community is concerned this year due to extremely high fuel loads.

“There is concern we could go back to those eras where we have grass fires again, with strong winds pushing across the landscape,” he said.

“With the forecast conditions, it is a concern we could experience large fires in Pilliga Forest.”

The message from the RFS to people is clear – be prepared and consider your emergency planning.

“People should ask themselves what they will do if a large fire approaches their assets,” Supt Brooks said.

“By prioritising, they can look at protecting life, property and the environment.

“Always have more than one evacuation plan or routes for an evacuation.”

Supt Brooks has asked people to look at their properties and clear fuel from assets, accesses and boundaries.

For more information about fire safety, people can seek advice from a fire control centre, local RFS brigade or from the RFS website.