Far south coast named bushfire 'hot spot'
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The New South Wales far south coast has been named as the top bushfire 'hot spot' for the state.
Bureau of Meteorology charts and maps show the entire far south coast, from the top of the Eurobodalla down to Bega, is the driest bush area in the state.
Both Batemans Bay and Moruya are 10 times drier than usual according to the bureau's ground moisture charts.
NSW Rural Fire Service far south coast manager Andrew Stark says the area needs higher than average rainfall in December and January to avoid severe bushfire conditions this summer.
He says conditions in the Bega area are particularly bad, with Bega two weeks ago reaching the same dryness levels as at the time of the Canberra bushfires.
Mr Stark says all far south coast residents should prepare for the bushfire season by cleaning up any potential fire fuel, such as leaves in gutter, rubbish under decks and garden foliage.
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