A Total Fire Ban (TOBAN) is in place today, 2 September 2024, for Greater Sydney and Illawarra/Shoalhaven, the NSW Rural Fire Service announced.
As Spring enters, weather conditions conducive to fires have been observed. The Ban was made due to hot, dry, and windy conditions. A Total Fire Ban means no fires out in the open, as the Ban limits the potential of fires developing. All permits to burn are also suspended.
The Fire Danger Rating for Greater Sydney today is High. On the other hand, the Illawarra/Shoalhaven has a fire Rating of Extreme.
Total Fire Ban rules are as follows:
- No fires during a Total Fire Ban
- During a Total Fire Ban you cannot light, maintain or use a fire in the open, or to carry out any activity in the open that causes, or is likely to cause, a fire.
- General purpose hot works (such as welding, grinding or, gas cutting or any activity that produces a spark or flame) are not to be done in the open.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology, strong westerly winds are expected during the day.
“Damaging winds averaging 60 to 70 km/h with peak gusts of around 100 km/h are likely. The peak of the risk is until mid afternoon, or with shower activity in the south. Damaging wind gusts to 110km/h are possible across elevations above 500m during morning and early afternoon,” according to the BOM.
Everyone is advised to report unattended fires immediately to triple zero (000).
