The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) will be conducting a hazard reduction burn in Yurammie State Conservation Area south of Wolumla and north of Yellow Pinch Dam in the Newlands Creek area, commencing Friday, 20 August 2021.
This area of the park will be closed to visitors during burning operations.
The NPWS hazard reduction program for 2021 is focussing 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 2019–20 summer bushfires.
Approximately 66 hectares will be treated in this section of Yurammie State Conservation Area, and this burn will take place in the Strategic Fire Advantage Zones (SFAZ) providing protection to the township of Wolumla and other critical assets in the area.
This area was not directly impacted by fire in either summer of 2019–20 or 2020–21 and it is important this burn go ahead to help protect residents from future fire events. It will also help to maintain biodiversity and reduce fuel loads in the area.
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.
The Princes Highway and other roads in the area will remain open however motorists are advised that smoke may impact visibility and they should drive to conditions. Motorists should also obey all safety signage and follow directions of fire crews.
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.
All burns across NSW 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.
