Campfires and barbecues using wood, charcoal or other solid fuel are currently banned in Riverina and southern cypress State forests due to the risk of bushfire, with campers asked to switch to gas fires until further notice.

The solid fuel fire ban applies to Koondrook, Perricoota and Campbells Island State Forests along the Murray as well as the Gillenbah, Buckingbong, Matong and Binya State forests in the Murrumbidgee catchment and smaller cypress forests in the region.

With warmer days approaching across the state, the ban will stay in place until the threat of bushfire eases, said Forestry Corporation of NSW’s District Manager Andrew McCurdy.

“All fires using solid fuels, such as wood or charcoal, are 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 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 — all fires, including gas fires, are prohibited on those days.”

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

“State forests in the Riverina are popular with campers throughout the summer holiday period, and solid fuel fire bans are an important way to reduce the bushfire risk during the hot summer months,” Mr McCurdy said.

“These bans improve safety for visitors, campers and communities in the region, and they have also potentially helped save many thousands of hectares of river red gum forest and cypress forests from destructive fires since 1990.”

Failure to comply with the Solid Fuel Fire Ban carries a maximum penalty of $2200.

For more information about the fire ban, contact Forestry Corporation of NSW’s Western Region on (02) 6841 4288.

Media contact: Rod Campbell