Susanna Freymark
The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service is doing a hazard reduction burn in Bundjalung National Park starting tomorrow, Monday, August 5.
The Rural Fire Service and Fire and Rescue NSW are assisting with the 1500hectare burn which is expected to take five days.
Traffic control will be in place on Bundjalung Road, Ocean Drive, the northern end of Bombing Range Road and The Gap Road.
Smoke may be visible to residents in Evans Head, Woodburn, Broadwater and Wardell.
NPWS said the burn will reduce fuel loads in the park.
“The burn will also help to provide suitable nesting habitat for the endangered Eastern Ground Parrot,” a NPWS spokesperson said.
“People vulnerable to smoke are encouraged to stay indoors and keep doors and windows closed to reduce exposure.”
People with known health conditions can sign up to receive air quality reports, forecasts and alerts via email or SMS from the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.
For health information relating to smoke from bush fires and hazard reduction burning, visit Asthma Australia.
More information on hazard reduction activities is available at NSW Rural Fire Service and the NSW Government Hazards Near Me website and app.
As well as the national park burn, Casino East Rural Fire Brigade – Greenridge/Tatham has been informed that several landowners will be doing pre-harvest cane burns beginning tonight, August 4, and for the next 10 nights.
These cane burns will be visible from Casino, Tatham, Yorklea, Tomki and surrounding locations because of the high flames and the significant glow on the horizon.
These burns are done by local cane farmers working together in teams, with suitable personnel and equipment onsite to control these cane burns.
The RFS advised to dial Triple Zero only if a fire is unattended.
In September-October last year, 1242hectares of the Bundjalung National Park burned.
