After having to remove children from the back of a four-wheel drive and place them in the firetruck for safety, one firefighter is urging residents in the Riverina to be prepared and alert.
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Bradley Stewart, an operational officer for the Rural Fire Service, said anything that is forested such as the Snowy Valleys has a high moisture deficit.
"There is an above-normal potential for fires to occur in those areas this year," he said.
"Anything grasslands [such as the majority of the Wagga Local Government District], there is a normal chance or risk of fires.
"Our bush fire danger period for the Riverina will be November 1 unless something changes substantially."
Mr Stewart said even though the Riverina is not currently facing extreme risk of fires, it is still crucial for families to update their survival plans.
"This year, the RFS introduced a farm fire safety plan," he said.
"We are talking to farmers about clearing firebreaks from around their assets, such as the sheering shed and machinery sheds.
"Clearing flammable materials and slashing areas of long dry grass, ploughing, rotating stocks and having adequate protections in place such as their own firefighting equipment."
It's never been easier for families to have a fire plan, with the RFS boiling it down to four simple steps - discuss what to do if a bush fire threatens your home, prepare your home, know the alert levels, and keep bush fire information handy.
Mr Stewart said it is essential that families take the time to discuss what to do.
At one point in his career in another district, Mr Stewart had to remove children from the back of a four-wheel-drive as the father had become so fixated on saving the farm.
"The children were not adequately clothes, and they were in fear for their lives," he said.
"People need to understand what are they going to do."
In the 2018 to 2019 financial year, the Rural Fire Service in the Riverina had some tough jobs on their hands.
All in all, they attended 415 incidents ranging from fires to car crashes across the region.
"One of the biggest ones was the Wagga Public School fire," Mr Stewart said.
"The old CSU residential accommodation was another one. The biggest contribution was up at the Snowy Valleys Section 44."
In January 2019, for two weeks, there were more than 50 fires.
"At one point, we had 18 or 19 aircraft in the air," Mr Stewart said. "We also sent a large number of volunteers."
Mr Stewart said residents should keep an eye on the Fires Near Me webpage or app which will provide information on the status of an incident.
For information on preparing a survival plan, click here.
Anyone that wants to chat with members of the RFS can do so at the Henty Machinery Field Days at their stall.