Bushfire danger period: Chifley/Lithgow Team firefighters were kept busy | Photos, pictures

Bushfire danger period usually runs from October 1 to March 31 each year, but the hot, dry conditions were of such a concern to NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) crews in the region that it was brought forward to begin on September 1.

As the danger period winds up for another season, Chifley/Lithgow District operational officer Brett Taylor said weather conditions, including the drought and wild storms, put crews to the test.

"We had the worst storms, the lightning started a lot of fires at the end of December and into January," he said.

These lightning strikes often started blazes in rough and difficult to access terrain, with the RFS regularly calling on its Rapid Aerial Response Teams (RART) team for assistance.

The team consists of remote area firefighters with helicopter winch skills who are placed on standby with a designated helicopter at predetermined locations.

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During the seven-month bushfire danger period, Chifley/Lithgow Team volunteer firefighters were called to 187 incidents which was slightly down on the 238 during the 2017/18 season.

Among the blazes that crews were called to was a bushfire that broke out near homes and telecommunications equipment at Littleton in Lithgow on December 27.

MAP: Where the bushfire occurred in Littleton, Lithgow

While a seven-hectare blaze off the Bridle Track at Hill End which was caused by a lightning strike.

Mr Taylor said overall the largest bushfire that crews responded to was 10 hectares.

"Even though we're in drought we had enough rain that it made the fires containable," he said.

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Ongoing hot, dry weather during the bushfire danger period also resulted in a number of total fire bans being declared for the entire Chifley/Lithgow Team district.

Mr Taylor has praised the community for a dramatic reduction in the number of illegal/careless fires lit in the region with number dropping from 48 during the 2017/18 financial year to six so far this year.

"It's good to see that people are getting the message," he said.

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While bushfire danger period may have finished, Mr Taylor urged the community to ensure they inform their neighbours and your local RFS fire control before lighting a fire on their property.

He said landholders were liable for any damage a fire they light causes to neighbouring properties.

If residents do wish to conduct burning activities, they should ask the NSW RFS for advice, permits and approvals and:

There are 2500 volunteer firefighters stationed at 53 brigades across the Chifley/Lithgow district.