Police are reminding the public of today’s total fire ban after already taking action against three men for breaching the state-wide ban, and a child for committing an act of arson.
In the first instance, about 4.10pm yesterday (Monday 11 November 2019), a 27-year-old man allegedly lit a small campfire at Fowler Reserve, Wallacia, to boil water for cups of tea.
NSW Police and Rural Fire Service attended and the man immediately extinguished the flames.
He was issued with an on-the-spot $2200 infringement notice for failing to comply with a total fire ban order.
Then, about 7pm (Monday 11 November 2019), Rural Fire Service members requested police attend a home in Braidwood Drive, Prestons, following reports a man was burning fence palings in a cylindrical barbecue.
Embers from this fire fell to the ground and ignited palings, causing a secondary blaze.
Both fires were extinguished and the 35-year-old man was also issued with an infringement notice for failing to comply with a total fire ban order.
In a further incident, about 5am today (Tuesday 12 November 2019), it’s alleged a 46-year-old man lit a fire in a small coal barbecue at a home in Danny Road, Lalor Park.
Fire and Rescue NSW attended and extinguished the fire.
NSW Police spoke with the man and arrested him for failing to comply with a total fire ban order and breach of bail.
The man is due to appear before Local Court today (Tuesday 12 November 2019).
In the latest incident, about 11.35am today (Tuesday 12 November 2019), a small grass fire broke out in long grass behind Sullivan Street, Worrigee.
Police and fire crews attended and extinguished the blaze. A nine-year-old boy, who was with a group of other children, subsequently made admissions to the lighting the fire with a blowtorch.
Due to the child’s age, he was issued a warning under the Young Offenders Act.
A total state-wide fire ban remains in place, and has now been extended into tomorrow.
A total fire ban means no fires out in the open. This helps limit the potential of fires developing.
During a Total Fire Ban you cannot light, maintain or use a fire in the open, or to carry out any activity in the open that causes, or is likely to cause, a fire.
General purpose hot works (such as welding, grinding or gas cutting or any activity that produces a spark or flame) are not to be done in the open.
For more information on fire bans, please visit https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/fire-information/fdr-and-tobans/total-fire-ban-rules
To keep up-to-date with major fire updates, please go to: https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/fire-information/major-fire-updates or download the ‘Fires Near Me’ app: https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/fire-information/fires-near-me
Anyone who sees suspicious or illegal behaviour is urged to contact police via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au
Information is treated in strict confidence.
