On Thursday afternoon, the Rural Fire Service declared the January 25 fire ban for the Berrigan, Edward River, Federation and Murray River council areas, as well as southern parts of Murrumbidgee Council.

Corowa and surrounds are forecast to see maximum temperatures of up to 46 degrees on Friday with winds northeasterly of 15 to 25 kilometres per hour tending northwest to northeasterly 25 to 40 km/h in the morning then tending southeast to southwesterly 25 to 35 km/h in the late evening.

The Southern Riverina and Southern Slopes fire ares will experience ‘very high’ fire danger ratings on Friday while Eastern Riverina, which includes Wagga, will be rated ‘high’ danger.

The RFS rules state that during a Total Fire Ban “no fire may be lit in the open and all fire permits are suspended”.

Banned fires include “incinerators and barbecues which burn solid fuel, e.g. wood, charcoal or heat beads. 

“No general purpose welding, grinding, soldering or gas cutting can be done in the open,” the rules state.

“The NSW RFS strongly recommends you reconsider activities such as such using a tractor or slashing, to help reduce the chance of a fire starting on your property.”