The Southern Highlands Rural Fire Service is reporting an increase in escaped pile burns over recent weeks.
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a ‘watch alert’ for an El Nino weather pattern which is expected to impact the east coast over the coming months.
RFS District Manager Daniel Osborne said the weather is likely to bring above average temperatures and below average rainfall.
” Already we’re seeing the drying out of vegetation, and coupled with increasing winds – we could see fires take hold quickly and threaten the lives of our communities,”he said.
Some helpful tips include monitoring weather conditions, keeping water and firefighting equipment handy and never leaving fires unattended.
Residents are also being asked to notify the Rural Fire Service before they burn off and notify their neighbours.
