With Christmas being such an important time of year, the Hawkesbury Rural Fire Service has urged the community to remain vigilant and prepare their properties from the threat of bush fire.
Since the start of the year, local RFS crews have attended more than 600 incidents including over 160 bush or grass fires.
They have also attended a number of significant structure fires, motor vehicle accidents, unattended pile burns and other calls for assistance.
Hawkesbury RFS Superintendent Karen Hodges said while weather modelling had indicated a wetter than average summer ahead, it was important that local residents stay informed of any forecast bad fire weather.
“At this stage, weather modelling is indicating a run of hot days in the lead up to Christmas but remain inconclusive over the Christmas break,” Supt Hodges said.
“Longer term forecasts are indicating a return of the La Nina weather system, which lends itself to wetter than average conditions.
“However, as we have seen this week, hot weather that can sustain bush fires can also occur.”
Supt Hodges said the local community could have faith in its local RFS volunteers, who stand ready to respond to all types of emergencies, at all hours of the day.
“On days of heightened fire danger, we ensure that ours volunteers are able to respond in the quickest possible time frame with pre-identified trucks available for immediate response.
“Our volunteers stand ready to respond to whatever weather eventuates. It's equally important that residents don't become complacent and ensure that they are also ready.”
Supt Hodges said there were a few tips local residents could take up to better prepare their home over the Christmas period.
“There's a few simple actions that residents can take in preparing their house over the Christmas period.
“They include, trimming overhead branches, mowing the grass to create a cleared area around the home, removing any flammable materials from around the home, clearing any leaves and debris from the gutters, and ensuring that a hose can reach all around the house.
“It's also important that residents discuss what they would do in a bush fire with their families. Often fires occur when residents aren't at home, or families aren't at home together.
“Planning for bush fire should be a part of all preparation plans for this Christmas, as this is a time to spend with our loved ones. We want to get through this period safely, and to do that, we need the community to also do their part in being prepared.
“Residents of the Hawkesbury should feel confident knowing that we have a large group of volunteers that stand ready to assist their communities in times of need.”