Solid fuel fire ban for Koondrook, Perricoota and Campbells Island State Forests

Campfires and barbecues using wood, charcoal or other solid fuel will be banned in Riverina and southern cypress State forests from midnight Wednesday 30 September.

Campers must switch to gas barbeques until further notice or risk a $2200 fine.

The solid fuel fire ban applies to Koondrook, Perricoota and Campbells Island State Forests along the Murray as well as the Gillenbah, Buckingbong, Matong and Binya State forests in the Murrumbidgee catchment and smaller cypress forests in the region.

With warmer days coming across the state, the ban will stay in place until the threat of bushfire eases, said Forestry Corporation of NSW’s District Manager Andrew McCurdy.

“All fires using solid fuels, such as wood or charcoal, will be banned until further notice” he said.

“This ban applies every day, not just on days when total fire bans are declared, so we are asking people who are planning to camp in the forests over the summer to bring gas appliances.

“Visitors should also be prepared for days when total fire bans are declared, as gas appliances will be also prohibited on those days.”

Mr McCurdy said solid fuel fire bans have been applied to the region since 1990 to reduce the risk of bushfire.

Signs informing forest users of the solid fuel fire ban will be placed on major roads leading into the State forests affected by the restrictions.

For more information about the fire ban, contact Forestry Corporation of NSW’s Western Region on (02) 6841 4288.