Sydney fire ban: Greater region threatened with extreme fire danger on Saturday after dry winter

Sydney has been slapped with a total fire ban as extreme fire danger threatens the city just five days into spring.

The New South Wales Rural Fire Service announced the ban will be in place from Saturday, September 5, and will apply to the Greater Sydney Region.

The strict rules mean Sydneysiders will be banned from lighting fires “out in the open” to curb the risk of igniting damaging bushfires.

“During a Total Fire Ban you cannot light, maintain or use a fire in the open, or to carry out any activity in the open that causes, or is likely to cause, a fire,” a statement from the NSW RFS said.

The ban includes welding, gas cutting, or barbecues and pizza ovens using wood, charcoal, or heat beads, all of which cannot be conducted outside.

Any fire permit that has been issued are suspended for the length of the total fire ban, which is expected to last until at least Saturday night.

RFS Superintendent Ben Shepherd says the fire ban is a result of an unusually warm winter, which has resulted in a “culmination” of disastrous fire conditions.

“What we’re seeing over the next 24 hours is a culmination of not only some very dry conditions, but coupled with some very strong west to northwesterly winds, where we’re expecting winds to get in excess of possibly even up to 50-60, kilometres an hour,” Superintendent Shepherd said.

While the fire ban is expected to last 24 hours, Superintendent Shepherd warned residents to be prepared for an “incredibly dry” and dangerous fire season.

“As we approach the bushfire danger period, there are some mechanisms in place where people using fire outdoor do require things like permits. . .People should just always be on the lookout for any bans,” he said.

“Importantly, (people should) always discuss their their bushfire survival plan with their household so they know what they’re going to do if a fire threatens, not just for the tomorrow, but for the coming months of the fire season.”

The ban comes as the World Meteorological Organisation warns the El Niño weather phenomenon is gathering strength, heightening risks of extreme weather events on Australia’s east coast resulting in drought-like conditions.

Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council CEO Rob Webb says this summer will bring a heightened risk of fire across the country.

This includes northern and southeastern NSW, south-east Queensland, northeastern Tasmania, parts Western Australia, Victoria, and South Australia, as well as a majority of the Northern Territory.

“(The risk is) driven by a combination of dry conditions in the east and increased fuel loads through parts of central and northern Australia,” Mr Webb said.

“While some areas are facing an elevated risk of fire this spring, bushfires can still occur in regions with a normal seasonal outlook.

“The variety of risk factors across different regions reinforces the need for communities to understand their local conditions and prepare early.”