The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) will undertake hazard reduction burns with support from the Rural Fire Service in Bouddi National Park on November 3 and 4, weather permitting.
The burn will help protect 52 private properties along Yugari Cres, Daley Ave, Fishermans Pde and Empire Bay Dr from potential bushfire, NPWS Acting Director Hunter Central Coast. Douglas Beckers. said.
“Our NPWS crews from the Central Coast area will be supported by local Rural Fire Service brigades to create a controlled burn across 27 hectares of Bouddi National Park,” Beckers said.
“The burn is just east of Daleys Point, and depending on the wind, smoke may affect Empire Bay Dr and surrounding residential areas.
“If you are vulnerable to smoke, we encourage you to stay indoors and keep your doors and windows closed to reduce exposure.
“Anyone driving on smoke-affected roads should drive at a safe speed due to limited visibility, heed warning signs and follow any directions given by NPWS fire crews.”
Several trails will be closed within Bouddi National Park for the burn operations, including Daleys Point and Daleys Point North trails, Rileys Trail and Fishermans Trail.
See full closure details on the NPWS alerts page – simple scroll down and enter ‘Bouddi’ in keyword.
This burn is part of a coordinated hazard reduction program in Bouddi National Park and will be the first in this part of the Park since 2010.
It will take place over two stages.
The first stage is the larger burn for property protection, while the second stage will be a cool mosaic burn around Daleys Point Aboriginal Site, which will be done later when conditions are appropriate for a Cultural burn.
The stage one burn will take one to two days with crews patrolling the fireground until it’s safe to leave and declare the burn is out.
“We cannot stress enough to people – particularly bushwalkers and mountain bike riders – do not enter the fire ground until the safety alert is removed from the web site,” Beckers said.
“It is simply not safe, as fire moves quickly and trees can become unstable.”
Hazard reduction burns are essential to reduce bushfire fuel loads to help protect the parks, neighbours and communities from future bushfires.
All burns across NSW will continue to be coordinated with the NSW Rural Fire Service to ensure the impact on the community, including from smoke, are assessed at a regional level.
For health information relating to smoke from bush fires and hazard reduction burning, visit the NSW Health website or the Asthma Foundation.
More information on hazard reduction activities: www.rfs.nsw.gov.au and the RFS Fires Near Me website and app.
Primary source: Media release, Nov 2, 2022, NPWS