Wet weather has prevented the Shoalhaven RFS from conducting prescribed burning in preparation for the 2020/21 fire season.
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Shoalhaven RFS Superintendent Mark Williams said while the rain has been extremely welcome, it has had some drawbacks.
"Unfortunately it has prevented us from doing any prescribed burning as part of our hazard reduction activities for the year," he said.
"What we have been doing is getting those prescribed burns planned and trails identified.
"As soon as that weather window opens again, regardless of when that happens to be we'll be ready to go but unfortunately the current wet spell we're going through has prevented any burning."
The rain has seen vegetation in fire ravaged areas grow back quickly but that also means an increased fuel load.
"It only takes a number of weeks once the rain stops for the fuel to dry out enough to hold a fire again so we'll be ever vigilant and ready to go when we get into the fire season.
"We're looking at the possibility of a higher than normal fire season, despite the fact that we're going through this wet period at the moment."
Marks Williams urged the community to ensure they have a bushfire survival plan and to keep their property maintained.
"Be prepared and have those discussions well before there is any sort of threat.
"Ensure grass is kept short, make sure firewood isn't stacked up against the house, gutters are kept clean and make sure combustible materials are kept away from the structure themselves."
Bushfire survival plans can be found online at https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/resources/bush-fire-survival-plan and hard copies are available at the fire control centre in South Nowra.
The Shoalhaven's fire season will start on September 1.