Deputy captain of the Cootamundra Rural Fire Service Gil Kelly is advising Cootamundra residents that the situation regarding the current fire danger in Cootamundra is not "catastrophic".
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"We're in a very high fire danger area," Mr Kelly said.
"It is definitely not in extreme or catastrophic," he said of the Cootamundra region this morning.
"We're just in very high danger, no where near catastrophic, we plan for the worst and hope for the best," he said.
However the South West Slopes Zone Rural Fire Service has issued advice to farmers to cease harvest.
"Due to the increased risk of fire in the Hilltops LGA and Cootamundra - Gundagai LGA, the NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) is requesting harvest operators immediately stop and check local weather conditions before deciding whether it is safe to continue harvesting," Operational Officer Nicholas Wilde said this morning.
Those conducting harvesting are advised to do the follow:
- Check: Check weather conditions, check the grain harvesting guide, and check your equipment.
- Decide: Only resume operations if safe to do so and regularly reassess the conditions.
"Under the current conditions, fires will start easily and spread rapidly. They have the potential to threaten life and property, as well as destroying millions of dollars' worth of crop and equipment," Mr Wilde said.
"The NSW RFS appreciates the cooperation of farmers on days of heightened fire danger. Stopping harvesting until weather conditions ease lowers the risk of fires breaking out and can prevent a great deal of damage."
For information on Harvest Safety Alerts and the Grain Harvesting Guide visit: www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/harvesting-guide
