NSW: Fire service warns of hot and dry Xmas

AAP General News (Australia)
12-24-2003
NSW: Fire service warns of hot and dry Xmas

By Emma Ambler

SYDNEY, Dec 24 AAP - NSW firefighters today warned people to exercise caution ahead
of very hot and dry conditions forecast across the state for the festive season.

The warnings came as a blaze on the NSW south coast peninsula of Jervis Bay was brought
under control today.

The Bureau of Meteorology has predicted Christmas Day and Boxing Day temperatures of
above 30 degrees Celsius across most of NSW, with very hot and dry conditions to continue
into next week.

NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Phil Koperberg urged people to observe fire bans
once they were issued.

In areas where no bans were in place, people should think carefully before lighting
camp fires, burning off, using solid fuel barbecues, or throwing cigarettes away, Mr Koperberg
said.

"The people of NSW should be vigilant," Mr Koperberg said in a statement.

"It is expected to be hot and dry and the potential for fires to start is very high."

Meanwhile, the threat posed by a bushfire at Jervis Bay receded today after easing
winds and backburning helped firefighters contain the blaze.

The area had now been declared safe after the fire yesterday came as close as one kilometre
to the township of Hyams Beach, Rural Fire Service (RFS) spokesman Cameron Wade said.

The fire was still burning in isolated swampland south of Hyams Beach, but it no longer
threatened properties, Mr Wade said.

The bushfire, which began on Monday, forced the closure of Booderee National Park,
which will remain shut until January 10, 2004 because of serious damage to bushland.

The main road into the area, Jervis Bay Road, also remained closed.

AAP ea/smb/tma/br

KEYWORD: BUSHFIRES NSW NIGHTLEAD

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