Using the app allows people to receive notifications about potential dangers in the area.
NSW RFS Superintendent Tony Whitehorn said people operating harvesting machinery needed to take a proactive approach to minimise the risk of fire in certain conditions.
“By setting a ‘watch zone’ around your property within the Fires Near Me NSW app, you can be alerted by a push notification on your phone whenever a harvest safety alert is issued for your local government area,” he said.
“Each year, firefighters attend a number of fires on farms which have been started as a result of harvesting operations. Many of these fires have the potential to destroy homes, crops and livelihoods.
“When a harvest safety alert is issued, farmers and contractors are encouraged to stop harvest operations, check the local weather conditions against the grain harvesting guide and then decide if it’s safe to resume operations.
“The NSW RFS appreciates the co-operation of farmers on days of heightened fire danger. A few hours of down time lowers the risk of fires breaking out and can prevent a great deal of damage.
“Setting up a watch zone within the app is relatively simple and you can have up to 10, so this may include your residence, property or any other areas of concern,” Superintendent Whitehorn said.
There are three ways to set up a watch zone within the Fires Near Me NSW app:
● Hold down on the map – select your location and tap ‘add watch zone’;
● In the menu – select ‘my watch zone’ and select ‘add a new watch zone’;
● Search from the map – tap the search button at the top of the screen, enter an address and select ‘add watch zone’.
Fires Near Me NSW is available to download on iOS and Android.
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