The NSW Rural Fire Service has urged residents to call triple (000) to report a fire, not just smoke, after it was inundated with calls from Yass Valley residents on Monday afternoon.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Concerned residents called 000 as thick smoke from the North Black Range fire near Braidwood and south coast fires blew into Sutton, Gundaroo, Murrumbateman, Yass and surrounds.
NSW RFS Superintendent Peter Alley had assured there were no fires in the Yass Valley on Monday afternoon, but triple zero calls continued into the evening.
Yass Fire Control Centre received 30 calls in 30 minutes, NSW RFS operational officer of the Southern Tablelands Zone, Lachlan Gilchrist, said, reminding people to always report fires to 000.
People should call 000 when there is a threat to life or property, they can see an unattended fire or a clearly definable column of smoke, Mr Gilchrist said.
"Our brigades spend a lot of time chasing false reports or smoke," he said.
Smoke will continue to impact communities as Australia faces a difficult bush fire season, Mr Gilchrist said.
"This will be a feature of summer. People need to be aware of that moving forward. We have significant fires to the north, south and east of us," he said.
Residents can also stay up-to-date on nearby fires by visiting www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/fire-information, by calling the Bush Fire Information Line on 1800 679 737 or by downloading the 'Fires Near Me' app for smart devices.
"If there is a fire in the area and it comes through 000, it will appear immediately on the Fires Near Me app," Mr Gilchrist said.
