With just over a month until the start of the Bushfire Danger Period, the South West Slopes Rural Fire Service is already working towards fire prevention in the district.
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This week’s rain has put on hold plans to burn around the railway lines in both the Cootamundra and Young Shires.
South West Slopes RFS District Services Officer Tom McDevitt said as soon as the country dries out enough for vehicles to safely maneuver over it, burning off will commence.
He estimates this to be around mid to late September on the contingency further heavy rain does not eventuate.
Burning off is likely to continue well into October.
The railway lines have been a focus for the RFS for the last three years with country between Jindalee and Galong burnt last year.
This year they will focus on the line between Cootamundra and Milvale.
Mr McDevitt said the idea behind the burning off is to create varying levels of fuel loads, which could be eight tonnes to the hectare in some areas and as little as half a tonne to the hectare in other places.
This practice will assist firefighters to get on top of a fire should it break out over summer.
By burning off around railway lines, the chance of a fire ignited by a train is also greatly reduced.
Mr McDevitt said the RFS is working closely with the Australian Rail and Track Corporation (ARTC) to achieve these outcomes to protect our communities.
While the district’s recent weather does little to support it, long-term predictions are for hotter and dryer temperatures this summer.
The wet winter currently being experienced will provide prolific growth of fuel for fires and Mr McDevitt said the RFS is working with this knowledge to ensure the district is prepared as best as possible for the start of the Bushfire Danger Period.
The South West Slopes Rural Fire Service takes in the Local Government Areas of Cootamundra, Harden, Young and Boorowa and is made up of 50 Rural Fire Brigades within the zone.
The headquarters is currently based in Harden.