The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) will conduct a hazard reduction burn this Friday 13 August at Blaxland Ridge approximately 15 km northwest of Richmond, weather permitting.
Residents and drivers are urged to take care and follow directions from firefighters.
This burn is one of many hazard reduction operations undertaken by NPWS across NSW each year and is supported by the NSW Rural Fire Service.
Around 900 hectares will be treated over three days to protect the properties and community of Blaxland Ridge.
This reserve was not directly impacted by fire last summer and it is important this burn goes ahead to help protect residents and businesses from future fire events. It will also help to maintain biodiversity and reduce fuel loads in the area to protect local tourism infrastructure.
The NPWS hazard reduction program for 2021 will be 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 that was impacted by the summer bushfires.
Undertaking this burn will help manage the potential risk of bushfire to communities and the environment before next summer. This work also provides firefighters safe zones and access where they can defend properties should a bushfire occur.
All burns across New South Wales will 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.
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.
