National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) in conjunction with FRNSW and NSW RFS is undertaking a hazard reduction burn for Royal National Park south of Loftus this afternoon Friday 10 September.
NPWS Area Manager Brendon Neilly said the 29 hectares burn adjacent to the Princes Highway and Farnell Avenue in Royal National Park is occurring this week to take advantage of suitable weather.
"This burn will help protect the communities of Loftus and Gray's Point and will further reduce the risk of wildfire spreading into Royal National Park," Mr Neilly said.
"The burn is due to begin at about 2pm and motorists along the Princes Highway and Farnell Avenue are reminded to beware of potential smoke hazard and drive to conditions.
Traffic control will be active on Farnell Avenue with the road closed to east bound traffic during active ignition.
Alternate route into and out of Royal National Park will be via McKell Avenue Waterfall.
"Public access to Royal National Park within the Temptation Creek – Grays Point area including associated walk tracks will be closed during the burning operations.
"Smoke from the burn program may be visible in the National Park and may be evident in local communities depending on wind direction.
"People with asthma or those who are susceptible to respiratory problems are advised to keep clear of the area or stay indoors," Mr Neilly said.
The NPWS hazard reduction program for 2021 is focussed on essential burns to protect park neighbours, assets, or significant habitat to ensure ongoing recovery of the wildlife impacted by the summer bushfires.
All burns across New South Wales will continue to be coordinated with the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) and Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) 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 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.
