The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) will conduct two hazard reduction burns in Tarlo National Park east of Taralga, beginning Thursday 4 March. The Towrang hazard reduction will start on 4 March and the Swamp (bushbottoms) hazard reduction will be on Friday 5 March.
Traffic controllers will be in place on the section of Towrang Road that runs through the national park. Smoke may impact visibility and drivers are urged to take care and follow directions from traffic crews.
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.
Around 338 hectares will be treated in Tarlo River National Park, and these burns will take place in Strategic Fire Advantage Zones (SFAZ).
This area was not directly impacted by fire in either summer of 2019-20 or 2020-21 and it is important these burns 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 these burns 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.
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.
