Starting Monday, September 1, the Bush Fire Danger Period (BFDP) will officially begin across the Armidale, Uralla, and Walcha Local Government Areas (LGAs).
During this period, anyone planning to light a fire must first obtain a free fire permit and provide at least 24 hours’ notice to both their local fire authority (RFS or FRNSW) and nearby residents.
Acting District Manager, Inspector Matthew McKean, reminded residents that the process remains unchanged from previous years.
“Fire permits and notifications are a free service provided by the NSW Rural Fire Service,” Inspector McKean said. “They can be accessed by visiting www.rfs.nsw.gov.au and clicking on the ‘Apply, Notify, Enquire’ link on the homepage.”
“Once a permit is issued, permit holders must also notify the RFS of their planned burn through the same online portal by selecting ‘Notify of your planned burn’.”
“We support landholders in carrying out hazard reduction burns on their lands, but it’s essential they are done safely,” Inspector McKean added. “Permits help ensure that weather conditions, fire safety measures, and the potential impact on neighbours are all considered. Even after recent wet weather, a poorly managed fire can quickly become a serious threat to the community.”
Residents can also request a paper permit by contacting their local Fire Permit Officer directly or by calling the New England Fire Control Centre on (02) 6771 7700, Monday to Friday between 8:30am and 4:30pm.
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