Firefighters across the central west have continued to do a tremendous job in keeping fires under control while experiencing unprecedented November temperatures, according to Rural Fire Service (RFS) Orana team officer Paul Whiteley.
And today they face a catastrophic fire danger rating for Dubbo and the region.
On Tuesday firefighters were called to their first major fire of the season, 100 metres from a house on a property 21km north of Dubbo near Goodwin lane.
Yesterday, Officer Whiteley said crews had been working during the heat of the day and overnight to contain the fire.
“They have done a magnificent job in containing and putting out the fire,” he said.
Since the fire was mopped up and blacked out on Wednesday skeleton crews have continued to patrol the area.
“Over the last 24 to 36 hours we’ve kept a patrol there to keep checking the ground, to identify any hot spots and extinguish them,” Officer Whiteley said.
“With the containment lines and retardant in place we are confident it won’t reignite.”
Officer Whiteley said firefighters working to contain a fire burning close to a pine plantation south of Mount Canobolas in Orange were very happy with its current status.
“They have been using heavy plant to tidy up the containment lines and are confident it won’t escape the lines,” he said.
With temperatures predicted to remain in the low 40s today and tomorrow, not only does Dubbo face breaking a new record, today is the first day it sits under the newly-introduced fire danger rating of catastrophic.
RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said people living in areas where a catastrophic fire danger rating was forecast should avoid being in bushfire prone areas.
“This is not a call for alarm or panic. Simply, if you live in these areas, plan activities away from a bush fire prone area, such as going to a friend’s house, a shopping centre or into town.”
Bureau of Meteorology climatologist Agata Imielska said Dubbo is likely to break a record for having eight consecutive days over 35 degrees.
“We are experiencing exceptionally warm temperatures,” she said.
“To have four days in a row of these temperatures has happened on quite a few occasions before and it can be common in November, but to have eight days is a record.”
Ms Imielska attributes the hot conditions to El Niño and climate change.
“El Niño conditions are not only drier than normal but they are also warmer than normal,” she said.
“Of the years we’ve seen consecutively hot days in November the majority of them have been El Niño years.
She said with the onset of climate change the Bureau of Meteorology has been expecting more temperature extremes.
“It is consistent with our expectations,” she said.
“Since the 1950s Australia has warmed up by a degree.”
The RFS will continue “gearing up” for the sweltering conditions.
“With further deterioration in the weather expected over the next 96 hours we’ve made sure we have more fire control officers in the Dubbo office to assist in our area and we’ve brought some officers from Cobar and Bourke in,” Officer Whiteley said.
“We understand farmers are in the middle of harvest but they must also be vigilant and make sure they have their fire fighting equipment serviced and ready to go.
“And a message to any travellers who may be passing through - please don’t park your cars on tall grass.”
lucy.rowles
@ruralpre ss.com
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