On Monday, 26 August, the NSW Rural Fire Service – Hawkesbury District announced that three Hazard Reduction burns will commence this week in Hawkesbury.
One will be executed at the Nepean Park West (Egret Block) at Yarramundi on Thursday, 29 August, with the HR burn covering an area of 3.22 hectares. It will begin on Thursday morning and is expected throughout the day.
The second one will be at Bravo at Blaxland Ridge (1.01 hectares) on Thursday, 29 August. Similarly, it will commence on Thursday morning and conclude in the afternoon.
Lastly, the third one will be at Roberts Creek at Blaxland Ridge on Saturday, 31 August, covering an area of 132.42 hectares. The Hazard Reduction will begin on Saturday morning and is expected to burn throughout the day and overnight into Sunday.
Everyone is advised that smoke will be visible in the areas mentioned during the burn: “Smoke may linger overnight in the nearby area.”
Hazard Reduction burns are done to prepare for bushfires: “Fire agencies and land managers work together to minimise the impact of smoke from hazard reduction burning.
“Controlled burns are planned well in advance. They’re planned to have minimal impact on the environment and the community,” according to the NSW RFS.
Private and NSW Rural Fire Service will conduct the first two HR burns, while the Roberts Creek burn will be headed by the Department of Planning, Housing & Infrastructure – Crown Lands, Private, and NSW Rural Fire Service.
The RFS shares to take the following steps when a burn is planned for your area:
- Keep doors and windows closed to prevent smoke from entering homes
- Keep outdoor furniture under cover to prevent ember burns
- Retract pool covers to prevent ember damage
- Remove washing from clotheslines
- Ensure pets have a protected area
- Vehicles must slow down, keep windows up, turn headlights on
- Sightseers must keep away from burns for their own safety
- If you have asthma or a lung condition, reduce outdoor activities if smoke levels are high and if shortness of breath or coughing develops, take your reliever medicine or seek medical advice
