A large plume of smoke billowing from a property in Woodward Street attracted plenty of attention from Parkes residents on Saturday.
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At 10am firefighters from Parkes Fire and Rescue NSW and Parkes Headquarters Rural Fire Brigade conducted a hazard reduction burn at the eastern end of the street that put on quite the show for onlookers.
Those involved decided to carry out the controlled burn because of the continuing drought and to minimise the risk to the community before the onset of the warmer weather.
Three fire tankers were on scene to ensure there was no loss of property and to contain the burn to the designated area.
“It’s a pre-planned hazard reduction burn by the Rural Fire Service and Fire and Rescue NSW,” Parkes Fire and Rescue NSW captain Craig Gibson told interviewer Conrad Mill.
“Because this area is in the urban interface we’re just trying to get it under control for the fire season, so it limits any sort of risk in our area.”
Mr Gibson predicts the season ahead is going to be hot and dry.
“I think just due to the conditions everyone has to be aware that it is going to be that sort of season, a very hot and dry season,” he said.
“As long as everyone’s aware and takes mindful precautions I think we’ll be good.
“There’s a fuel-load [around] but then again everything’s been dry due to lack of rain so it’s a balance, some areas have got fuel-load, some areas haven’t.
“The Parkes township is probably in the middle.”
Mr Gibson said the two services in Parkes – the Rural Fire Service and Fire and Rescue NSW – always work together to protect the community.
“We’ve got good people in our area and they’re very vigilant in the fire season,” he said.