An investigation by the Rural Fire Service (RFS) is being conducted into an unseasonable bushfire which burnt out approximately 10 hectares of land at Bobs Farm over the weekend.
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Fire brigades from Anna Bay, Salt Ash, Soldiers Point, Fingal Bay and Medowie attended the blaze which started on Saturday night and, fanned by strong winds, continued into Sunday.
No lives or property were lost in the fire, and Lower Hunter RFS district officer Bert Pippin said that there was no immediate threat to property.
“Around 35 firefighters attended the blaze, which was confined to an area behind a number of homes along Marsh Road,” Mr Pippin said.
“It burnt out approximately 10 hectares of dry swamp and bush land, and fire crews were able to protect nearby homes. Marsh Road was closed to traffic for a short time on Saturday night.”
Mr Pippin said that fire units would continue to monitor the area while investigations into the cause of the fire were underway.
The abnormally dry conditions for this time of the year have experts warning all Port Stephens householders to be on the alert for an earlier than usual bushfire season.
Coincidentally, just hours prior to the Bobs Farm fire the RFS had released a statement urging Port Stephens residents to take extreme caution when conducting any sort of burning activity at this time of the year.
The warning had followed an unusually high number of fires due to the unseasonable dry conditions, plus the very high fire danger potential forecast for the month ahead.
RFS operational officer Guy Baddock said that residents and landowners needed to take care when using fire and to remember it was their responsibility to control the fire so that it doesn’t escape and cause damage.
“When undertaking burning activities, landholders and residents need to notify their neighbours and their local fire authority 24-hours before lighting a fire,” Mr Baddock said.
“Anyone planning to conduct hazard reduction burning should first contact their local Fire Control Centre and check if a fire permit is required.”
Information is posted daily at rfs.nsw.gov.au.
The RFS said that the current conditions were a timely reminder for residents to check that they have a completed and practiced Bush Fire Survival Plan, in order to protect their family and property should they be threatened by fire.
“If you are not prepared for the bush fire season then you must act now,” Mr Baddock said.
“Everyone should be using this time to prepare their property, which includes clearing gutters and removing fuel from around homes.
“All households should have a well-practiced Bush Fire Survival Plan so residents know what to do, particularly on days of increased fire danger, because there is no room for complacency when it comes to bush fire safety.”
Fire notices for Port Stephens
High winds have created Very High fire danger conditions on Wednesday, August 15.
The RFS is urging any resident who had plans to burn piles or carry out private hazard reductions to stop and wait at least 24 hours.
Medowie Rural Fire Brigade will conduct a hazard reduction burn at 27 Brocklesby Road, Medowie on Saturday, August 18 from around 10am through to late afternoon (weather permitting).
Resident along Brocklesby Road and surrounding areas within Medowie are advised to take precautions, such as keeping doors and windows closed, removing washing from clotheslines and making sure pets are in a protected area.
