The prevailing drought conditions and long-term forecast for little to no rain combined with high winds has prompted the NSW Rural Fire Service to bring forward the start to the bushfire danger period.
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The bushfire danger period in the Dungog Shire will start on September 1, one month prior to the typical start of October 1, and end March 31, 2020.
During this period, anyone looking to carry out burning activities must have a fire permit from the RFS.
Depending on conditions, the RFS may suspend fire permits at any time.
Rural Fire Service brigades across the shire are encouraging residents to take steps now to make sure they are bushfire ready.
Bendolba Salisbury Brigade will hold its Get Ready event at the Bandon Grove Hall on the weekend of September 14 and 15. Dungog Brigade will hold its Get Ready day to coincide with Pedalfest on September 21 with a marquee outside the Visitor Information Centre in Dowling Street.
Members of the brigades will be on hand to help residents with their bushfire survival plan and give them advice.
The brigade members appeal for people not to be complacent with fires already in the district and the Hunter Valley, with the Lakes Way recently closed.
"In a decent wind, embers can easily travel 20 kilometres plus," said Bob Humphrey.
"That's why we say empty your gutters, get rid of your wood pile behind the house, the commonsense stuff."
The decision when to leave your property in a bushfire event should be planned and discussed well in advance with family.
The thick smoke surrounding a bushfire means visibility is reduced to virtually zero, potentially making it impossible to leave.
Three things you can do today according to Dungog's community engagement officer Calvin Vogele: mow your lawns, clean your gutters and have a plan on where you will go.
