Calm weather helps NSW firefighters

(AAP) - Calm weather conditions have helped firefighters battling blazes on the NSW south coast.

But authorities remain on high alert with the bushfire season officially underway.
The bushfire danger period came into effect for 30 areas across NSW on Tuesday, one
month ahead of the traditional October 1 start.
Emergency Services Minister Steve Whan said unseasonally hot, dry weather during
August increased the fire risk, forcing the Rural Fire Service (RFS) to bring the
date forward.
Conditions are expected to remain calm for the week ahead with rain forecast for
much of the state but Mr Whan urged people to remain vigilant and prepare their
properties now.
"The fires we have already seen on the south coast, Central Coast and in the
northern tablelands are a warning that we cannot afford to be complacent," he said
in a statement on Tuesday.
Firefighters worked overnight to contain the blazes on the NSW south coast, with
calm weather conditions boosting their efforts.
A fire burning near Burrill Lake, in the Shoalhaven, is being controlled, while a
large blaze further south at Eurobodalla continues to burn.
At both sites firefighters conducted backburning to try to establish and strengthen
containment lines.
No homes are under direct threat.
The fires could be a sign of things to come, according to the Bureau of Meteorology,
which is predicting an El Nino weather event.
El Ninos usually bring hot, dry weather to southern and eastern Australia.
"The frequency of heatwaves is increasing and that will make the upcoming fire
season more prone to fires," forecaster Dmitriy Danchuk said.
The bushfire danger period began on Tuesday for a large area of NSW, including areas
north of the Hunter region to the Queensland border, parts of the south coast and
some inland areas.
It began on August 1 in Armidale/Dumaresq, Guyra, Uralla and Walcha.
The declaration will come into effect for the remainder of the state on October 1,
including Sydney, the Central Coast, Illawarra, Blue Mountains and central and far
west areas.
Residents in bushfire-prone regions are urged to clear combustible fuels from around
their properties and ensure homes were well equipped to survive potential ember
attack, the RFS says.
"People need to exercise the utmost care and caution with fire," RFS Commissioner
Shane Fitzsimmons said.
"It is not only law but a matter of public safety that they acquire a permit if they
plan to burn now in any of the declared regions."