With the risk of fire expected to continue until winter, land owners are advised to use extreme care as they burn land for agricultural purposes.

Rural Fire Service operation’s officer Brad Stewart said a number of grass fires this summer had been linked to the use of machinery, with sparks quickly igniting flames that spread across hundreds of hectares.

He warned small burns could easily escape despite the cooler temperatures.

Mr Stewart said the direct and indirect cost of firefighting resources could swiftly burn through millions of dollars.

“Farmers have a legal obligation and responsibility,” Mr Stewart said. “We don’t want to be seen to wield the big stick but if the fire escapes we may need to investigate and take action.”

He said extremely dry conditions and an abundance of fuel (grass, leaves, timber) was an ongoing concern and forecasts were providing little hope for relief. 

Autumn temperatures are expected to remain unusually high with very little rainfall, according to the Bureau of Meteorology. 

“It’s going to be hot and dry for the foreseeable future,” Mr Stewart said. “There’s still a lot of fuel out there and all we need is a windy day for a permitted fire to jump containment lines.”

Fire permits can be obtained from local Rural Fire Brigades or by contacting the Riverina Fire Control Centre (02) 6971 4500.

Mr Stewart said an extension to the bush fire danger period was a serious consideration and would be discussed at a meeting in mid-March. 

He said more fires had occurred once the fire-danger period ended in April last year than the month before, prompting fresh calls for ongoing restrictions in 2017 and a renewed warning to local farmers. 

“April saw nearly 80-plus escaped agricultural burns,” he said. “The threat is there.”

Mr Stewart asked passers-by make sure a fire was unattended before calling emergency services. 

“More often than not we’ll get a number of calls for a permit burn,” he said. “We get people who see smoke from 50-60 kilometers away.”

He said smoke visible across the region from Monday, March 6 was likely to be a legally permitted burn. Mr Stewart said residents need only call triple-0 if the fire was unattended.