The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) will be conducting a hazard reduction burn in Goonook Nature Reserve on Saturday 11 September 2021.
NPWS Area Manager Brett Cann said the purpose of the burn is to reduce fuel loads in the nature reserve adjacent to private residential properties west of Upper Lansdowne Road.
"We attempted to undertake this important hazard reduction burn last Thursday, however an unexpected, light shower of rain meant the fire ground was too wet for us to successfully light up," said Mr Cann.
"Weather permitting, we'll implement the 244-hectare burn on Saturday, beginning at around 10am, with mop up and patrol continuing on Sunday and Monday.
"Our NPWS crews will be working on roads throughout Goonook Nature Reserve for the duration of the burn.
"We're asking locals to please exercise caution and follow directions of NPWS crews if driving on roads in the area.
"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 the many that we're working hard to carry out in national parks across the Hunter and Central Coast region during Spring," said Mr Cann.
Hazard reduction burns are essential to reduce bushfire fuel loads to help protect the parks, neighbours and communities from future bushfires.
All burns across NSW will continue to be coordinated with the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) 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. Contact tracing is also enabled via the QR code sign-in all fire crews must complete when starting.
For health information relating to smoke from bush fires and hazard reduction burning, visit NSW Health or the Asthma Foundation.
