One year after the Wirritin bushfire, which claimed the life of Trangie pilot David Black and burnt out more than 7,000 hectares of the Budawang National Park west of Ulladulla, RFS Shoalhaven district officer James Morris is predicting another scorching summer.

He said residents and landowners should be prepared for a “typical Australian summer”, with high temperatures, hot, dry winds and low humidity.

Despite recent rainfall in the Milton Ulladulla area, Mr Morris said the Shoalhaven was “one of the most fire prone areas in the state”, with a large amount of dense bushland to the west and populated areas to the east along the coastline.

“If we have a fire to the west and the westerly wind picks up, it will be pushed towards the coastal communities,” he said.

“That’s what happened with the Wirritin fire this time last year.”

In the lead up to this week’s RFS Get Ready weekend, he said it was time to be prepared.

The RFS is reminding people that it is “never too early to get ready for bush fires - but time is running out”.

“Use the Get Ready Weekend on October 18 and 19 to make your bush fire survival plan and prepare your home,” Mr Morris said.

He said residents and property owners should clear leaves and sticks from their gutters and around their homes, as well as pruning shrubs and trees so they were not overhanging homes.

Keeping lawns mown and gardens well maintained, along with moving flammable liquids to an enclosed area and not out in the open will reduce the risk of bushfire damage, as will having a good hose that will reach all corners of the home.

Mr Morris said recent rainfall had limited the amount of hazard reduction burning opportunities for the RFS and would also add to the bushfire fuel on the ground.

“The rain doesn’t really help much, because a day of high temperatures and hot winds will dry it out straight away.

“The recent rain will add to the ground fuel if there’s a fire.”

He said RFS crews would continue to conduct hazard reduction burns when “weather conditions are right” in the lead up to summer and right through the bushfire period.

“We don’t really have a burning off period, we do it whenever there’s a window of opportunity.

“Over winter, a lot of our planned burns could not be carried out to to high winds or rain.”

A hazard reduction burn was carried out in bushland near Kings Point last Thursday and Friday.

With more burns likely in coming weeks, nearby residents are advised to keep doors and windows closed to prevent smoke entering homes and to keep outdoor furniture under cover to prevent ember burns.

The RFS also advises residents to retract pool covers to prevent ember damage, remove washing from clotheslines and ensure pets have a protected area.

Vehicles driving near hazard reduction burns must slow down, keep windows up, turn headlights on and sightseers have been asked to keep away from burns for their own safety

People with asthma or lung conditions should reduce outdoor activities if smoke levels are high and, if shortness of breath or coughing develops, take medicine or seek medical advice

For health information relating to smoke from bush fires and hazard reduction burning, visit the NSW Health website or the Asthma Foundation.

Residents are also reminded that permits are required before burning off and landowners can face fines of up to $2,200 for failing to gain permission from fire authorities or adhering to the conditions of a permit.