Hawkesbury Rural Fire Service crews were on high alert and at the ready over the weekend, as temperatures soared into the 40’s.
Crews were on standby on Monday as well, as a Total Fire Ban was placed on the district.
While no major fires were reported across the Hawkesbury over the weekend, local crews continued assisting brigades in other areas, including back burning efforts at the TJ’s fire in the Singleton Council electorate at Braidleys Gully.
Hawkesbury residents may have also seen a plume of smoke bellowing west towards the mountains on Saturday. This coming from a fire in the Lithgow electorate, not far from Colo Height.
Hawkesbury Rural Fire Service Inspector Tim Seary said that with temps expected to sit in the mid to high 30’s for the rest of the week, residents should make sure they and their homes are properly prepared.
“Make sure you have a bush fire survival plan, monitor the weather and seek further information from the RFS website or the Fires Near Me App,” Inspector Seary said.
“Make sure you have a bush fire survival plan, monitor the weather and seek further information from the RFS website or the Fires Near Me App."
- Hawkesbury RFS Inspector Tim Seary
“Everyone should be familiar with these sites, keeping up to date with the latest information.”
Anyone who sees an unattended fire should call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
Visit www.myfireplan.com.au for simple tips on getting ready for this bush fire season.
The recent hot and windy weather has also made it painful for allergy sufferers, with the pollen count sitting at High and Very High over recent weeks.
Currently the pollen count across the Hawkesbury and Sydney sits at a ‘high’ level and is expected to stay like that over coming days.
The Weatherzone Pollen Index measures the potential for pollen to trigger allergic reactions in susceptible people.
“Pollen levels in the atmosphere will be highest on hot days and on days where a dry wind is blowing,” Weatherzone says.
“Additionally, light rain overnight or during the early morning will also cause high pollen levels. These are the days when you will experience the telltale symptoms.”
