The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has planned a hazard reduction burn in Worrigee Nature Reserve near Nowra on Saturday 10 December, weather permitting.
NPWS Team Leader Julieanne Doyle said the 10.6-hectare burn will reduce naturally accumulated fuel loads to help reduce any potential threats from wildfire.
“We’ll take advantage of favourable weather forecasts to conduct the burn in the east side of the reserve,” Ms Doyle said.
“Weather conditions and fuel moisture need to be just right for the burn to go ahead – certain elements must be within measurable parameters for both safety and achieving the burn’s objectives.
“Weather permitting, the ‘Central East 2’ burn will begin at around 10 am on Saturday, with further burning, mop up and patrol continuing on Sunday.
“Local streets, particularly Worrigee Rd may experience smoke, so please exercise caution and drive to conditions.
“If you are vulnerable to smoke, we encourage you to stay indoors and keep your doors and windows closed to reduce exposure.
“This burn is one of many that we’re working hard to carry out in national parks across the South Coast region, and we may undertake more hazard reduction burns later in the season if the weather conditions are right,” Ms Doyle said.
Hazard reduction burns are essential to reduce bushfire fuel loads to help protect the parks, neighbours and communities from future bushfires.
All burns across New South Wales are coordinated with the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) to ensure the impact on the community, including from smoke, are assessed at a regional level.
For health information relating to smoke from bush fires and hazard reduction burning, visit the NSW Health website or the Asthma Foundation.
To see if a burn is scheduled in your area you can also refer to the Rural Fire Service (RFS) and the RFS ‘Fires Near Me‘ website and app.