Following the quietest bush fire season in more than a decade, the NSW Rural Fire Service is warning residents and motorists of potentially smoky conditions as they plan and conduct a number of hazard reduction burns.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The burns are being conducted, or are planned, across the state when weather conditions are suitable following a bush fire season which had just 11 total fire ban days, although firefighters state-wide were still pressed assisting with floods.
A number of large-scale burns are planned in the region over the next few days near Forbes, Dubbo, Lithgow and Oberon while a handful of smaller burns have been carried out near Orange and Bathurst.
Led by the Forestry Corporation of NSW, around 700 hectares of hazard reduction burns began at Mount David near Oberon on April 8 and will continue through until April 16.
The RFS will coordinate a 40-hectare burn at Cumbijowa near Forbes on Tuesday as well, while 100 hectares of hazard reduction is planned at Dubbo Airport between April 16 and 18. The latter is being conducted in conjunction with Fire and Rescue NSW.
A burn of approximately three hectares is also planned near Lithgow on April 17 and 18, while small hazard reduction operations have taken place near Molong, Long Point, Emu Swamp and Parkes in recent days.
"Hazard reduction is just one way of preparing for bush fires - it doesn't remove the threat of fire, and it doesn't remove the need for you and your family to be prepared," NSWRFS' hazard reduction notice says.
"There are different types of hazard reduction including controlled burning, mechanical clearing like slashing undergrowth, or even reducing the ground fuel by hand."
- READ MORE: No targets, just 'getting on with it': PM
During hazard reduction the RFS advises residents and motorists to keep windows closed, keep outdoor furniture covered, ensure pets are protected and to stay aware on the roads.
For more information regarding planned hazard reductions, people can visit the NSWRFS website or Fires Near Me.
We depend on subscription revenue to support our journalism. If you are able, please subscribe here. If you are already a subscriber, thank you for your support.
