A Total Fire Ban (TOBAN) is in place today, 19 September, for the Greater Sydney and Illawarra/Shoalhaven regions due to hot, windy, and dry conditions, according to the NSW Rural Fire Service.
A Total Fire Ban means no fires out in the open, helping to limit the potential for fires to develop. During a TOBAN, residents cannot light, maintain, or use a fire in the open or 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.
The Fire Danger Rating today is Extreme, indicating dangerous fire conditions. The RFS shares what residents need to do when there is an Extreme Danger Rating:
- Check your bush fire plan and ensure that your property is fire-ready.
- If a fire starts, take immediate action. If you and your property are not prepared to the highest level, go to a safer location well before the fire impacts.
- Reconsider travel through bushfire risk areas.
The Bureau of Meteorology reports fresh and gusty winds with very dry conditions as extreme fire dangers are likely.
“Winds northwesterly 15 to 20 km/h turning westerly 25 to 35 km/h in the morning then becoming light in the evening,” the BOM says.
