LAST week the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) carried out a 175 hectare hazard reduction burn in Murramarang National Park, north of Depot Beach on the South Coast.
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This was part of the overall program to reduce the risk of wild fires causing catastrophic damage to neighbouring villages, the bushland and the wide range of rare and endangered wildlife and plants within our National Parks, forests and reserves in NSW.
NPWS Area Manager Neale Watson said the burn was being conducted to reduce fuels and enhance bushfire protection for nearby villages and for Murramarang National Park.
“The burn took place east of the intersection of Mt Agony Road and the North Durras Road,” Mr Watson said.
“We had about ten NPWS fire fighters and staff involved in the burn.”
“There were some minor traffic delays on public roads near Depot Beach and the NPWS apologises for any inconvenience this may have cause travellers.
“This burn was part of a strategic approach to hazard reduction burning in National Parks throughout the region,” Mr Watson said.
“There will be more hazard reduction burns along the south coast and far south coast as well as further inland over the coming weeks. The conduct of these burns will be dependant on favourable weather conditions.
The aim is to create a burn that clears a lot of the leaf litter and other debris on the ground and around the base of trees while keeping the flame hight relatively low to maximise the survival of native fauna and flora. High fuel loads from forest debris considerably increases the destructive power of a wild fire in the summer months.
Every effort is made by NPWS and other organisations charged with conducting hazard reduction burns to reduce the impact of smoke however nearby residents are advised to:
• Keep pets inside.
• Not leave washing on clotheslines.
• Move furniture and items that could be affected by ash or embers.
• Keep windows closed on the day.
• Anyone with asthma or similar should remain indoors or away from smoke.
The Murramarang burn was just one of many being undertaken by NPWS across NSW, as conditions allow.
Over the next five years, the NPWS Enhanced Bushfire Management Program will double its hazard reduction operations in National Parks and reserves to more than 135,000 hectares per year.
For more information on planned hazard reduction burns, visit the Rural Fire Service website: www.rfs.nsw.gov.au.