The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is planning 2 hazard reduction burns in South East Forest National Park on Thursday 27 and Friday 28 April 2023, weather permitting.
- Thursday's (27/4) planned 110-hectare burn will be undertaken along Sheepskin Road and the Towamba River, south-west of Burragate.
- Friday's (28/4) 150-hectare burn will take place in the Yowaka section of the park, along Sugarloaf and Back Creek fire trails.
These areas of South East Forest National Park will be closed to visitors during burning operations.
Both burn blocks were not directly impacted by the fires of 2019–20, so this hazard reduction activity will help protect nearby properties from future fire events, maintain biodiversity and reduce fuel loads in the area.
This work also provides firefighters with safe zones and access where they can defend properties should a bushfire occur.
Nearby residents and motorists may notice smoke in the vicinity of the burns and should take care and drive to conditions.
People vulnerable to smoke are encouraged to remain indoors and keep their doors and windows closed to reduce exposure.
Hazard reduction burns are essential to reduce bushfire fuel loads to help protect parks, neighbours and communities from future bushfires.
This burn is one of many hazard reduction operations undertaken by NPWS each year, many with assistance from the Rural Fire Service and Fire and Rescue NSW.
All burns around the state are coordinated with the NSW Rural Fire Service to ensure the impact on the community is assessed at a regional level.
