The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) will be conducting a hazard reduction burn in Brisbane Water National Park beginning on Friday 14 July.
The 39-hectare burn will reduce naturally accumulated fuel loads in the park to protect nearby residential areas in Patonga and Pearl Beach from future bushfires. It will also help to protect a local threatened species of plant called the thick-leaf star-hair (Astrotricha crassifolia).
The burn, located just north of Patonga, is scheduled to begin at 10 am on Friday morning, with mop up and patrol continuing over the weekend.
Closures will be in place on the Great North Walk between Patonga (Dark Corner) and the intersection of Patonga Drive and Warrah Trig Road. The Pearl Beach/Patonga Fire Trail and the Waratah Patch to Coora Swamp Fire Trail will also be closed for the duration of the burn. Trails will be reopened once the area is deemed safe.
Traffic control will be implemented along Patonga Drive on Friday, due to the smoke and to protect fire crews working along the edge of the road. Motorists are reminded to exercise caution and drive to conditions.
Smoke may be visible to residents in Patonga, Pearl Beach, Brooklyn and Umina Beach.
People vulnerable to smoke are encouraged to stay indoors and keep doors and windows closed to reduce exposure.
Hazard reduction burns are essential to reduce bushfire fuel loads to help protect parks, neighbours and communities from future bushfires.
This burn is one of many hazard reduction operations undertaken by NPWS each year, many with assistance from the Rural Fire Service and Fire and Rescue NSW.
All burns around the state are coordinated with the NSW Rural Fire Service to ensure the impact on the community is assessed at a regional level.
