The National Parks and Wildlife Service is planning to take advantage of favourable weather predicted for next week to conduct hazard reduction burns in the Murray Valley Regional Park at Deniliquin.
The operation is part of an on-going fuel management program to reduce the risk to properties from potential wildfires in the vicinity of Deniliquin.
Riverina Area Manager Robin Mares said the burn is expected to begin on Sunday 18 April and take up to three days, with mopping up operations continuing for several days after.
"The burn is planned to occur across two key sections of Murray Valley Regional Park – in the north around Willoughby's Beach and in the south in the Joggers Trail area.
"The park will be closed for the duration of the hazard reduction operation and until the area has been assessed and considered safe for public access.
"The burn will only go ahead if weather conditions are right on the day. Smoke modelling will be provided by the Rural Fire Service fire behaviour analysis team to guide the burn schedule to minimise the risk of smoke impacting on the town," Mr Mares said.
Nearby residents are advised to:
- Ensure that pets are secure within property boundaries and have an area that provides protection for them
- Close all windows and remove washing from clothes lines on the days of the burn
- Stay well clear of fire operations during the burn.
- People with asthma or who are susceptible to respiratory problems are advised to keep clear of the immediate area or stay indoors.
All burns across New South Wales 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 bushfires 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.