Hazard reduction burns in Morton National Park and Kangaroo River Nature Reserve

The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is planning hazard reduction burns in the Fitzroy Falls area of Morton National Park and the Kangaroo River Nature Reserve starting Tuesday 28 September, weather permitting.

Controlled Burn by National Parks and Wildlife Service and NSW Rural Fire Service, fire and Rescue NSW. Andrew Smith.

The hazard reduction burns are in strategic locations and aim to limit the potential spread of wildfire into the Kangaroo Valley and Fitzroy Falls villages and surrounding areas.

To ensure visitor safety while the burn is underway, the Fitzroy Falls area of Morton National Park and the Kangaroo River Nature Reserve will be closed during the operation.

It is anticipated that the planned burn may produce visible smoke that could affect the Kangaroo Valley and Southern Highlands areas.

Motorists on the Nowra Road and Bendeela Road are reminded to drive to conditions and observe any warning signs or directions from fire crews or road traffic controllers.

Depending on conditions, other burns may also be carried out in the region next week, resulting in smoke being visible in the area for several days.

We thank our neighbours and visitors to the region for their understanding.

The Morton National Park and the Kangaroo River Nature Reserve are two of the 14 hazard reductions the NPWS has undertaken in the Illawarra Highlands Area this year.

The NPWS hazard reduction program for 2021 is focussed on undertaking essential burns in areas close to neighbours and important assets and protecting significant habitat to ensure ongoing recovery of the State’s wildlife impacted by bushfires.

All burns across New South Wales continue to be coordinated with the Rural Fire Service to ensure the impact on the community, including from smoke, are assessed at a regional level.

Hazard reductions are an essential activity under the current Public Health Orders and will be conducted in a COVID-19 safe manner to ensure the safety of fire crews and the community.

COVID-19 safety briefings are provided to all staff who are required to wear masks along with their normal fire personal protective equipment.

Details on specific burns will be made available in advance on the Rural Fire Service website, ‘Fires Near Me’ app, and on the NPWS Alerts website.

For health information relating to smoke from bush fires and hazard reduction burning, visit NSW Health or the Asthma Foundation.

For up to date information on these, and other, planned hazard reduction activities, visit the Rural Fire Service.

/Public Release. View in full here.