BUSH FIRE season is upon us and western Sydney residents are being urged to prepare now before it is too late.

“All residents across NSW need to be prepared for the bush fire season,” NSW Rural Fire service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons told Western News.

To help with preparation and to remind people what they can do to protect their homes the RFS is holding a special Get Ready weekend, with Commissioner Fitzsimmons saying bush fire preparation is easier than you might think.

“Preparing for bush fires is easier than people may think. It could be as simple as talking to your family about what you would do if a bush fire was to start near them. Get Ready weekend is the ideal opportunity to take that action,” he said.

“There are many events planned across the state including firefighting displays, opportunities to get aboard a fire truck, take a picture with a firefighter and see some of their specialist equipment,” the Commissioner said.

According to the Commissioner there could be more rain on the way with the ongoing weak El Niña weather pattern potentially leading to some wet weather across spring.

“This could lead to more grass growth which can fuel fires, so we need to be prepared for an above average fire season in parts of NSW,” the Commissioner said.

Get Ready weekend coincides with the arrival of the C130 Hercules Large Air Tanker, a plane designed to suck up water and dump it on the fire grounds called Thor. He’ll be housed on the Richmond airbase and used across bush fires around NSW during the 2016/17 fire season.

Get Ready weekend will be held on September 10 and 11 with events held all over western Sydney. All the events can be found at http://www.rfs.nsw. gov.au/news-and-media/get-ready2016.

Bunnings Fire Tips

Bunnings Warehouse Blacktown, Marsden Park, Minchinbury, Rouse Hill and seven Hills will team up with the NSW Rural Fire service as part of the annual get Ready Weekend to help Blacktown City locals prepare for the upcoming fire season.

Blacktown City residents are encouraged to visit their local Bunnings to learn about bushfire preparation as part of the Bushfire Preparedness D.I.Y. Workshops on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 at 12:30pm.

The D.I.Y. Workshops will offer helpful advice on how you can properly prepare your home in the event of a bushfire.

NSW RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said the service’s annual get Ready Weekend campaign was the ideal opportunity for local families to learn a few simple steps that will make a big difference during a bushfire.

“Preparing for bush fires is easier than people may think. It could be as simple as talking to your family about what you would do if a bush fire was to start near them. Get Ready weekend on 10 and 11 September is the ideal opportunity to take that action,” he said.

Volunteer firefighters will be in selected stores and available to answer any questions about being prepared for the fire season. Check your local store for details.

For more information on the NSW Rural Fire Service and how to prepare for the fire season you can visit www.rfs.nsw.gov.au.

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