THE high temperatures that have dominated most of January will make a return tomorrow, bringing a statewide total fire ban with them.
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The Rural Fire Service has declared the ban from midnight, “due to forecast hot, dry and windy conditions”.
The fire danger for the North West, New England and Northern Tablelands for tomorrow is severe, as Warialda is forecast to hit 40 degrees; Quirindi, Moree and Narrabri 39; and Tamworth and Gunnedah 38.
It comes as the Bureau of Meteorology warned of “a hot and windy day for NSW and the ACT”, accompanied by possible dusty conditions.
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“We’re seeing a dry front approach from the west to move into the region, bringing gusty and strong windy conditions, with winds up to gale force expected,” BOM meteorologist Rebecca Farr said.
“[We’re ] also expecting a hot day, with temperatures in the north of the state particularly up to the 30s … coupled with these windy conditions, we are expecting elevated fire dangers tomorrow.”
Under a total fire ban, it is prohibited to light or maintain a fire in the open, or do anything in the open that could cause one, such as welding or grinding.
The NSW RFS also “strongly recommends” that people reconsider activities such as such using a tractor or slashing.
Ms Farr said the elevated fire danger in this part of the state was expected to continue into Wednesday.
There was also the risk of some dustier-than-usual conditions.
“With the dry conditions out west, we are expecting these strong and gusty winds to cause areas of raised dust, with the front potentially transporting that dust all the way to the coast,” she said.
However, the BOM said conditions could change.
“We’ll be closely monitoring throughout the day tomorrow to see how much dust we see raised – or not.”
Carolyn Millet
Based at The Northern Daily Leader, Tamworth, and Namoi Valley Independent, Gunnedah. Covering general news and features on community, council, arts, business, health, education, entertainment and rural matters.
Based at The Northern Daily Leader, Tamworth, and Namoi Valley Independent, Gunnedah. Covering general news and features on community, council, arts, business, health, education, entertainment and rural matters.
