GOULBURN’S chilly winters are coming back to bite. Above average rainfall and a measurable snow downpour could lead to a feisty fire season, experts say.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Southern Tablelands RFS Zone Operations Officer Ian Kennerley told the Goulburn Post the district will experience “good growth” as it moves further into spring.
Whether this leads to severe fire danger will depend on forecast rain and landholder preparation, he said.
Further, snow damage to the region’s forested areas will see lightning strikes have a larger impact in the season to come.
“It’s only suppositions at the moment. We’ve had an awful lot of rain and fairly substantial snowfall, this will see some good growth across the district, particularly in the northern end where the snow was most concentrated,” Mr Kennerley said.
“In addition, in forested areas there was so much damage to the trees caused by the snow we now have an increased fuel load because the branches have been torn down. As they dry they will add to the fuel risk and lightning strikes have potential to be a big risk.”
Still, Rural Fire Services personnel are preparing for the season as normal. Annual winter burn-offs are likely to wrap up in the next few weeks.
Landholders looking to begin burn offs have until October 1 to do so before a permit is required from the local brigade captain.
“There is still more rain on the radar and we will have a normal amount of grass around the place, so if people are conscious about what they do in the grassed areas with mowers and slashers it should be ok,” Mr Kennerley said.
“(Preparations) are more to do with the farmers and they are very aware. Small block owners need to be more aware of what to do to protect their buildings too.
“Those looking to burn in September have to be aware of wind when they burn and also of large piles, which have the potential to reignite from the roots during the dry fire season.”
A Seasonal Bushfire Outlook report released earlier this month labelled the Southern Tablelands district as an area with “above normal” bushfire potential.
In assessing the risk, the Bushfire and Natural Hazards Cooperative Research Centre took into account factors such as recent rainfall, long term rainfall deficit and long term climate drivers.
“Leading into this year, many areas have consistently received below average annual rainfall across successive years. This has produced a cumulative reduction in soil moisture levels and increasingly dry forests and grasslands,” it read.
In the year to date, the total rainfall to September 10 was recorded as 446.6mm. The figures align closely with last year’s rainfall - 445.6mm to September 10.
Weatherzone predicts further possible showers early next week.
Meantime, volunteer firefighters will host a number of events and activities in the area tomorrow and Sunday, to inform residents about what they can do to prepare for bushfires.
Tomorrow, open days will be held at the Bungonia fire shed, Middle Arm fire shed, Gunning fire station, Oolong fire station and Taralga fire shed.
Tomorrow and Sunday, events will also be held at Goulburn Bunnings. Goulburn MP Pru Goward urged residents to go along.
“Preparing for bushfires is easier than people may think,” she said.