The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) will be conducting 2 hazard reduction burns in Bongil Bongil National Park on Tuesday 31 August.
NPWS Coffs Coast Area Manager Glenn Storrie said the purpose of the burns is to reduce bushfire risk for local residents in Bundagen and Repton.
"If the weather behaves as predicted, we'll undertake a 30-hectare burn immediately north of the Bundagen Rural Co-operative and a second, 10-hectare burn north of the Repton community," said Mr Storrie.
"We expect the operation will take 2 days, and smoke will likely be visible to residents in Repton, Mylestom and Bellingen during that time. If you are vulnerable to smoke, we encourage you to stay indoors and keep your doors and windows closed to reduce exposure.
"To ensure public safety and allow for effective prescribed burning operations, local park road closures will be in place.
"Duffs Trail, School Rd, Palm Crossing Rd and North Bundagen Trail will be closed for the duration of the burn. There will also be no vehicle access through the forest to North Bundagen Beach," said Mr Storrie.
The hazard reduction burn will also improve the ecological health of the eucalypt forests in Bongil Bongil National Park and reduce the risk of high intensity fire impacting on the park's important koala habitat.
This burn is one of many hazard reduction operations undertaken by NPWS across New South Wales each year, many with assistance from the Rural Fire Service and Fire and Rescue NSW.
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.
