Campers in Tumut and Tumbarumba plantation and native State forests are asked to switch to gas fires until further notice.

The ban applies to Tumut plantation areas immediately, and to Tumbarumba native forests from Sunday 24 November.

This means campfires and barbecues using wood, charcoal or other solid fuel will be banned due to the risk of bushfires.

The dry conditions that have severely impacted nearly all of NSW are now starting to impact in the local area. The solid fuel fire ban will stay in place until the threat of bushfire eases, said Forestry Corporation‘s Stewardship and Fire Manager, Charlie Taylor.

“All fires using solid fuels, such as wood or charcoal, will be banned until further notice,” he said.

“This ban applies every day, not just on days when total fire bans are declared, so we are asking people who are planning to camp in the forests over the summer to bring gas appliances.

“Visitors should also be prepared for days when total fire bans are declared, as all fires including gas fires will be prohibited on those days.”

Mr Taylor said solid fuel fire bans have been applied to the region since 1990 to reduce the risk of bushfire.

“Our local State forests are popular with campers throughout the summer, and solid fuel fire bans are an important way to reduce the bushfire risk,” Mr Taylor said.

“These bans improve safety for campers and communities in the region, and they have also potentially helped save many thousands of hectares of forests from destructive fires.”

Signs informing forest users of the solid fuel fire ban will be placed on major roads leading into the State forests and camping areas affected by the restrictions.

Failure to comply with solid fuel fire ban restrictions carries a maximum penalty of $2,200.

For more information about the fire ban, contact Forestry Corporation’s Tumut office on 02 6947 3911.

Media contact: Rod Campbell 0428 058 549