Fire season has been brought forward a month due to the onset of dry and windy conditions.
Hawkesbury residents are being told to prepare their homes for a potentially bad fire season, according to the Rural Fire Service.
July was the warmest and driest on record for NSW since 1995 and local fire brigades have been using the last two months conducting hazard reductions across the region.
‘‘This year could potentially be a bad fire season,’’Hawkesbury superintendent Karen Hodges said.
As rain fell across the Hawkesbury over the last week, three hazard reduction plans were cancelled — Bowen Mountain, Bilpin and Ebenezer.
With only two weeks left until fire season kicks off, the Hawkesbury Rural Fire Service have planned to conduct as many hazard reductions as possible across the area, in the hope it will help.
‘‘If the weather allows us, we will continue with more hazard reduction plans over the next few weeks,’’ Ms Hodges said.
Residents are also being reminded by the Rural Fire Service to check online and see if they are eligible to remove trees under the new 10/50 laws.
‘‘The 10/50 laws will help land owners prepare and protect their property,’’ Ms Hodges said.
‘‘There is only a positive with the new laws.’’