NSW: Sydney, Newcastle and south coast on total fire ban
24 Jan 2009 9:48 AM
SYDNEY, Jan 24 AAP - Some long weekend BBQs will have to wait until Sunday after the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) announced a total fire ban from Newcastle down to Bateman's Bay on the south coast.
With temperatures due to reach 40 degrees on Saturday the Bureau of Meteorology is predicting hot, dry windy conditions and very high to extreme fire danger across parts of the state.
As a result, the RFS has imposed a total fire ban across the greater Sydney, greater Hunter, Illawarra and Shoalhaven regions along the coast and the lower central west plains.
During the fire ban, all fire permits are suspended and no fire may be lit in the open - including wood or charcoal barbecues.
Barbecues may only be used if they are gas or electric and only then if they are within 20 metres of a residential property, or in a designated picnic area, near a continuous supply of water and in the control of a responsible adult.
A cool change is expected to blow in later on Saturday or early Sunday with more moderate temperatures to follow.
