First total fire ban of season declared for Tweed Heads

A total fire ban has been declared for the Tweed Shire for Friday, the first total fire ban of the 2020-21 bushfire season.

The declaration comes ahead of a warm and windy day in the region with the fire danger rating forecast to be very high.

Temperatures are expected to reach 27 degrees with winds getting up to 40 km/h.

The ban covers the entire New South Wales Far North Coast including the Byron, Ballina, Clarence Valley, Kyogle, Lismore and Richmond Valley Shires.

The ban means no fires out in the open, including camp fires, private pile burns or solid fuel heaters or cookers.

Activities such as welding, grinding or gas cutting in the open are also banned.

Very high fire danger is also expected in other parts of north-east New South Wales including the North Coast, Northern Slopes and New England regions.

Due to warm, dry & windy conditions the first total fire ban will be in place for the 2020/21 fire season. Very high fire danger is forecast for NE #NSW on Fri 25 Sep, with a total fire ban to be in force for the Far Nth Coast. Check & review your bush fire survival plan #NSWRFS pic.twitter.com/I6z9alRKs7

— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) September 24, 2020

A total fire ban also remains for parts of south-east Queensland.

The ban covers Logan, Scenic Rim, Ipswich, Lockyer Valley and Somerset local government areas and is in place until midnight on Saturday.

The Gold Coast is not currently included in the ban but the fire danger is expected to be very high on Friday.