No campfires will be allowed in national parks on the South Coast until the end of summer 2020, as firefighters become increasingly concerned about the risk of bushfire.
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The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has introduced a ban on solid fuel fires within national parks and nature reserves across the South Coast from Wednesday, September 11 until the end of February 2020 due to continuing bushfire risk.
It follows a similar ban introduced in NSW Forestry Corporation's South Coast assets on September 1.
In National Parks, only gas, liquid fuel stoves and electric BBQs can be used.
NPWS South Coast Director Kane Weeks said camp and cooking fires were too risky under the current conditions.
"Right along the coastal and escarpment reserves, dry conditions combined with hot, dry weather means that campfires are an ever-present risk in bushland areas throughout the region," he said.
"Under the current conditions, bushfires can start very easily from the sparks of a campfire. All it takes is a gust of wind and we could have a bushfire.
"Historically there are many examples where campfires have been the cause of major bushfires.
"The ban means all wood or solid fuel fires are prohibited in all reserves managed by the NPWS from Wollongong along the NSW south coast to the NSW border.
"Should a total fire ban be called by the Rural Fire Service (RFS) at some later stage then gas and liquid stoves will also be banned."
Visitors should first visit www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au, the RFS website at www.rfs.nsw.gov.au or the RFS "Fires Near Me" app.
NSW State Forests said solid fuel fires were banned until further notice.