All fire permits have been suspended for the Chifley-Lithgow region due to a very high fire danger rating.
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The rating is based on a calculation from the Bureau of Meteorology, which takes into account the fuel load on the ground, the temperature, the wind and the peak temperature.
NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) operations officer for the Chifley-Lithgow team Brett Taylor said wind speeds of 35km with gusts up to 60km and the dry conditions combined to create the higher rating.
“The temperature is set to get up into the 20s and there is low humidity, that all comes together to increase the risk,” he said.
“The very high fire danger rating has resulted in the suspension of all permits.”
The rating came into effect at midnight on Monday, September 11. It may be continued on Wednesday if the fire danger risks continue.
The NSW RFS warns that the danger may increase on Wednesday to severe in some area. The community is urged to keep watch at the NSW RFS website for the changing ratings and warnings.
Continuing extremely dry conditions will have everyone looking to the sky for rain, the sooner the better, to decrease the fire risk. Due to the conditions, Lithgow’s fire danger period was extended. starting a month early on September 1.