Crews continue hazard reduction program

Summary

Volunteer crews from the NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) are working alongside other agencies to continue essential hazard reduction burning.

NSW RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said that the current favourable weather is enabling more than 70 hazard reduction burns to be scheduled over the coming week.

"People in many parts of the state should expect to see smoke over the next few days; in Greater Sydney alone we have crews conducting around 20 controlled burns over the next three days.

"For this important work to be effective the conditions need to be ideal, and now that the recent wet weather has cleared, agencies are taking full advantage of the situation.

"In coming days, NSW RFS volunteers, along with other agencies such as Fire & Rescue NSW, National Parks, Forests NSW and local government authorities have approximately 70 burns planned.

"This ongoing work is an important part of preparing for the bush fire season and agencies will continue to schedule these activities while conditions allow," Commissioner Fitzsimmons said.

Between now and Sunday, hazard reduction burns are scheduled for the Warringah, Macarthur, Hornsby, Hawkesbury, Blue Mountains, Hills District, and Gosford areas. Outside of Sydney, burns are planned in and around the Great Lakes, Newcastle, Kempsey and further west to Dubbo.

During the hazard reduction burning, some areas may be affected by smoke. Residents near controlled burns are encouraged to take precautions such as keeping doors and windows closed, removing washing from clotheslines and taking care if driving close to smoke affected areas by slowing down and switching on headlights.

"Just as fire agencies and land managers are using these conditions to prepare for the bush fire season, so should the community," Commissioner Fitzsimmons said.

A list of planned hazard reductions is available here.

Attached files:

Contact Name: State Duty Media Officer

Contact Phone: 02 9898 1855