A Total Fire Ban has been declared for the Greater Sydney Region, Which includes the Blue Mountains. A Fire Weather warning has been issued for the area as well. Remember if you see a fire unattended please call 000.

Today Winmalee Pumper, 1B, RP445, NSW Police and NSW Ambulance responded to a 2 car MVA on Hawkesbury Rd, Winmalee. Crews were in attendance and made the area safe.

Yesterday Winmalee 1B and PC responded to reports of bush alight along Shaw Ridge Trail, Winmalee. Crews attended and found a burning tree within the previous burnt area. Crews extinguished the tree.

Important Notice for the residents of Yellow Rock. This meeting has been called as a result of the high school meeting held following the recent Hawkesbury Road fires. We hope to see you there, light refreshments will be available after the meeting.

The following conditions apply during a TOTAL FIRE BAN and you should act responsibly at all other times.

During a Total Fire Ban no fire may be lit in the open and all Fire permits are suspended. This includes incinerators and barbecues which burn solid fuel, e.g. wood or charcoal.

Can I use an electric barbeque?
You can use an electric barbeque for cooking as long as it is under the direct control of a responsible adult, who is present at all times while it is operating, and no combustible material is allowed within two metres at any time it is operating.

Can I use a gas barbeque?
You can use a gas barbeque under the following conditions:

It is under the direct control of a responsible adult, present at all times while it is operating;
No combustible material is allowed within two metres at any time it is operating;
You have an immediate and continuous supply of water; and
o The barbeque is within 20 metres of a permanent private dwelling such as a home;
o The barbeque is within a picnic area and the appliance is approved by Council, National Parks or State Forest
Can I use a solid fuel barbeque, like a wood or charcoal barbeque?
No.

I have a permit. Can I use fire during a total fire ban?
On Total Fire Ban Days the lighting of fire is prohibited and your Fire Permit will be automatically suspended. Your permit resumes once the total fire ban is lifted.

Are there exemptions during a total fire ban?
A range of activities may be exempt from Total Fire Bans, such as emergency infrastructure work, bee hive smokers, mining operations, sugar cane harvesting or ceremonial fires. The NSW RFS Commissioner is responsible for exemptions to Total Fire Bans. These exemptions are detailed in the NSW Government Gazette each time a total fire ban is declared.

What penalties are there for lighting a fire during a total fire ban?
Lighting a fire on a day of Total Fire Ban attracts a fine of up to $5500 and/or 12 months gaol. Penalties for a fire that escapes and damages or destroys life, property or the environment can attract much greater fines and gaol terms with maximums at $100,000 and/or 14 years gaol.

Civil law suits can also be brought against the person responsible for a fire by those seeking compensation for losses sustained.

IMPORTANT FIRE WEATHER WARNING.

The temperature in our area tomorrow, Tuesday will be around 31deg with 22% humidity and winds from the west north west at between 45 – 70 kph.

The FIRE DANGER rating will be VERY HIGH.

Along with a very high fire danger there is also a SEVERE WEATHER WARNING for damaging winds from the north west that will strengthen overnight ahead of a strong cold front moving across NSW during Tuesday bringing strong to GALE FORCE winds.

Please take care.

A TOTAL FIRE BAN has been imposed from midnight tonight until midnight Saturday.

The weather for our area is likely to reach 29 deg with 8% humidity and winds from the west between 40 and 65 kph.

The fire danger will be severe and most fire stations throughout the Blue Mountains will be manned. Winmalee RFB will be manned from midday Saturday.

If you see an unattended fire please phone 000 immediately.

A TOTAL FIRE BAN has been called for the second time this week commencing at midnight tonight covering the next 24 hours.

The temperature for Thursday has been advised at 30 deg with 21% humidity and winds from the west of between 50 – 80 kph. This puts the fire danger meter into the SEVERE zone and most fire stations will be manned from 10am.

If you see an unattended fire please ring 000 immediately.

Another busy day yesterday. A late afternoon call to assist in a search for a person lost in the Faulconbridge area along with 3 other brigades.

2 hours later Winmalee brigade assisted Police & Fire Rescue at a motor cycle accident at the corner of Hawkesbury & Lee Roads. The rider sustained multiple injuries and was transported to hospital.

Another very warm day tomorrow with temperatures at Richmond (our closest weather point) reaching 31deg with low humidity.

The TOTAL FIRE BAN will finish at midnight tonight, however Wednesday will still be a very high fire danger day. Take care.