The New South Wales Rural Fire Service (RFS) is urging people to prepare for bushfires ahead of a long and heightened season predicted for the Southern Tablelands.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The bushfire danger period runs from October 1 to March 31 but has started early in parts of NSW.
Areas such as the Blue Mountains have already been issued emergency warnings as bushfires raged last week and the Southern Tablelands was on alert with a very high danger rating on Friday.
READ ALSO: Walk in the park for NSW Farmers
"With much of NSW in drought and a forecast of ongoing warm and dry conditions, there is the potential for a long and protracted bush fire season," NSW RFS Superintendent Peter Alley said.
Most people (69 per cent) living in the bush have some form of a plan for what to do in a bushfire, but 31 per cent of people still don't know how they'll act, according to the NSW RFS 'Prepare. Act. Survive' public awareness campaign.
Also, most people don't intend to leave before there is a fire on days of a catastrophic fire danger, according to research by Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC and commissioned by the NSW RFS.
All residents living in the Southern Tablelands need to be prepared for the upcoming bushfire season, Superintendent Alley said.
"NSW RFS members have been busy preparing by undertaking hazard reduction burns, maintaining firefighting equipment and undergoing training," he said.
"Get Ready Weekend is a chance for residents to do their bit to prepare and protect their family and property in the event of a fire."
Twenty-nine events are being held by rural fire brigades across the Southern Tablelands as part of Get Ready Weekend, September 14 and 15.
There will be plenty of children's activities, firefighting displays, opportunities to climb inside a fire truck, take a photo with a firefighter and see some firefighting equipment.
"Volunteer firefighters will be available to talk to about the simple things you can do to reduce your bushfire risk," Superintendent Alley said.
"Preparing for bushfires is easier than people may think. Take five minutes to improve or make a plan that will give your property, your family and yourself the best chance of survival should you be threatened by a bush fire.
"Get Ready Weekend is the ideal opportunity to take that action," Superintendent Alley said.
Find out when your local brigade's Get Ready Weekend event is: