FIREFIGHTERS are reminding the Riverina community to expect more smoke on the horizon over the coming weeks.
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A wet summer has prompted "an abundance" of vegetation waste in paddocks across the region, with farmers working to burn it off as the weather cools.
Riverina Rural Fire Service operational officer Brad Stewart said the successful harvest season has meant farmers needed to change up their plans.
"Ordinarily, some farmers are able to sow and cultivate their paddock with leftover stubble, however with so much left of it this year, there's a significantly greater need for agricultural burning across the wider area," he said.
Despite a rise in visible smoke, Mr Stewart urged the community to assess the situation before calling Triple Zero.
"We strongly encourage that members of the community only call Triple Zero if they see a fire that is unattended," he said.
"Residents will not see these burns come up on the Fires Near Me app either, so just keep in mind that they are a regular occurrence at this time of year, every year."
For farmers looking to conduct a burn, Mr Stewart said there were a number of requirements to abide by.
"A farmer needs to have a permit. That is a safety and a legal requirement," he said.
"There must be at least a three metre fire break around the paddock, they are not allowed to burn timber or stumps, there must be at least one fire unit on site at all times, and the fire cannot be left unattended.
"It is also a legal requirement to provide 24-hour notice to all adjoining properties, and notify the Rural Fire Service or Fire and Rescue NSW depending on the location."
Currently, between 80 and 100 people hold fire permits in the Riverina region. Permits will no longer be required at the end of the month, but Mr Stewart said the need to notify fire services remained year round.
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Mr Stewart added that residents could expect heavy smoke this Saturday with a planned burn scheduled for Junee.
"We will be burning off roughly 19 hectares at Rocky Hill reserve in Junee, with a number of trucks from the RFS there," he said.
"The weather conditions should be favourable. There is rain forecast to drop between five and 10 millimetres on Thursday, but I won't let that dampen my enthusiasm to get it done."
Aiming for Saturday morning to midday, Mr Stewart said the rain forecast for that night should work in their favour.
"If that rain does come through, it will be very, very welcome as it will reduce the need for black out work and having to get firies back out Sunday to make sure it's extinguished," he said.
The Junee Shire Council have requested the burn, which Mr Stewart said will provide a high level of protection to roughly 30 homes as a result.
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