RFS Southern Tablelands Zone Manager Peter Alley said if this summer is anything like the last, he'll be a happy man.                                                       

"I think you would be right in saying that we'd be fairly satisfied if it was like last season, with the worst fire being that Sawyers Gully Road blaze," he told the Tribune earlier this week.

"We've had good rain. It's been a good spring and with a bit of warm weather coming now the grass is going to shoot off ... so we've just got to prepare for the worst and hope for the best."

He said his local RFS crews are up to date with the latest training techniques and are well equipped to deal with any emergency.

"Most of our training is now finished but we're still running extra basic firefighter courses to cater for the influx of membership and we've been getting steady membership numbers for a good four or five years which is great to see.

"All our fleet maintenance is up to date, our trucks are ready to go, people are trained up and we're just waiting for the smoke now."

Yesterday marked the official start of the bushfire danger period and RFS Community Education Safety Officer Peter Dyce stressed how important it was that locals stay vigilant.

"Commencement of the Bush Fire Danger Period does not prohibit landholders from burning. In fact, we continue to encourage properly prepared and managed hazard reductions. It does mean however, that permits will be required for lighting fires," he said. 

Permits are free and can be sourced at Yass Fire Control Centre on Yass Valley Way.

"Above average temperatures for the summer period have been forecast so we ask people to be careful when using fire. The current conditions across most of NSW mean that fires are more likely to develop into bushfires, threaten life, property and the environment.

"We strongly advise residents to contact their local brigade and use their expertise to assist in carrying out safe and successful hazard reductions."

Mr Alley said it was an offence to allow a fire to escape from your property and serious punishments can be imposed.

"Lighting a fire without a permit is a serious offence and people can be prosecuted and you can also be fined around $1100."

For more information contact the Southern Tablelands Zone RFS Office on 6226 3100 or visit www.rfs.nsw.gov.au.