FIRE agencies and land managers will take advantage of favourable weather conditions to complete a number of important hazard reduction burns across the state over the next several days.
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NSW Rural Fire Service (NSWRFS) Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said more than 100 controlled burns are scheduled to take place in the coming week.
Those planned for the Bega Valley include:
South of Wolumla/north-west of Merimbula/near Wolumla to north-east;
West of Candelo;
North of Merimbula/south of Tathra;
2km north of Lochiel;
Summerhills Rd Greigs Flat;
Black Range Rd, Bega;
Old Mill Lane, Wolumla;
Warrigal Range Rd, Brogo; and
Sapphire Coast Drive, Tura Beach.
In the Eurobodalla shire, planned burns include:
Deua National Park, near Belowra Valley;
Cors Pde North, Batemans Bay; and
Wongaburra Kelly Rd, Bingie.
“Good weather conditions have provided us with a welcome window of opportunity to continue our controlled burning program this week in preparation for the next fire season,” Commissioner Fitzsimmons said.
“Weather conditions are challenging for this type of work and the current conditions have provided agencies with an excellent opportunity to complete some key burns.”
Some areas may be affected by smoke while hazard reduction burns are underway.
People are advised to only call Triple Zero (000) if they see an unattended fire.
Residents near controlled burns are encouraged to take precautions such as avoiding outdoor activity in smoky area, keeping doors and windows closed, removing washing from clotheslines and, if driving through smoke-affected areas, slow down and switch on headlights.
Members of the community who have asthma should take appropriate precautions and follow their asthma management plans.
“An early onset and long duration of the 2013/14 fire season and the recent wet weather has put the hazard reduction program behind schedule so we will be using every opportunity to conduct this vital preparation work,” Commissioner Fitzsimmons said.
“It is important the community take the lead from fire agencies and land managers by also taking advantage of the good weather to prepare their properties for the inevitable return of fire conditions.”
A list of planned hazard reductions is available on the NSWRFS website at www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/hr.