Smoke expected from hazard reduction activity

NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) volunteer firefighters will join with NSW Fire and Rescue, NSW Parks and Wildlife and Forests NSW to complete the burns.

"This is important work which will help protect people and where they live during this bush fire season," NSW RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said.

"Over the last few years we have experienced significant rainfall which has made hazard reduction difficult and therefore we need to complete this work when the weather permits."

The major hazard reductions planned for this weekend include:

Lovett Bay (Elvina) Burn West Head – 180 ha.

•  One lane of West Head Road will be closed for safety reasons and motorists should expect delays.
• The burn will be conducted along West Head Road from the Elvina Track to Salvation Creek above Elvina Bay.

 Austlink burn Forest Way and Mona Vale Road - 40 ha

• Traffic on Mona Vale Road and Narabang Way will be delayed with some lane closures for safety and motorists should expect delays. 
• The burn will be conducted behind the Supa Centa on the corner of Forest Way and Mona Vale Road.

Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park, Long Trail, near Duffys Forest – 310 hectares.

• Given the size of this burn, smoke will be very visible around the Cowan Waters and Bobbin Head area and could spread as far as Gosford.

People living near a controlled burn, especially those with health issues, should take precautions such as closing doors and windows.

In some areas, roads may be closed or smoke affected and motorists should slow down if driving in smoky conditions.

A list of planned hazard reductions is available on the NSW RFS website here. Traffic information is available at www.livetraffic.com