Hazard reductions in Garrawilla NP and Pilliga West SCA

Media release: 21 August 2017

The National Parks and Wildlife Service is planning to conduct two hazard reduction burns this week starting tomorrow (Tuesday 22 August) at Pilliga West State Conservation Area near Coonamble and Garrawilla National Park, near Rocky Glen, weather permitting.

NPWS Regional Director Rob Smith said that hazard reduction burns would be visible but unlikely to impact traffic.

“The Pilliga West SCA hazard reduction will start on Tuesday and is a large 1700 hectare burn, about 50 kilometres north east of Coonamble.

“The Garrawilla National Park burn will commence on Wednesday and may produce large volumes of smoke throughout the remainder of the week which may be visible from Rocky Glen and surrounding areas or from the Oxley Highway.

“Although smoke is not expected to impact on traffic, motorists are advised to exercise caution and drive to suit the conditions when traveling through the area.

“Garrawilla National Park is a small reserve about 40 kilometres north east of Coonabarabran.

“The burn is an area of about 170 hectares and is part of a strategic plan to create a mosaic of reduced fuel areas across the landscape.

“These burns will only commence if weather conditions are right on the day,” Mr Smith said.

NPWS conducts controlled burns for a range of purposes including asset protection, strategic fire control, maintenance of biodiversity and research across NSW each year, many with assistance from the Rural Fire Service and Fire and Rescue NSW. They are part of the NSW Government's six-year $76 million package to boost bushfire preparedness and double hazard reduction in the State's national parks.

For more information on all burns or to download the RFS 'Fires Near Me’ app, visit the Rural Fire Service .

For health information relating to smoke from bush fires and hazard reduction burning, visit the NSW Health website or the Asthma Foundation.

Contact: OEH Public Affairs – 02 9995 5347