Hazard reduction burn in Tomaree National Park

The 28-hectare burn will help to protect the local environment and community including Government Road, Harbourside Haven, Shoal Bay Beachside Tourist Park, and private properties to the east of Government Road, Shoal Bay.

The burn is expected to begin around 10 am on Thursday, with mop up and patrols continuing over the following days until the burn is declared out.

Public access to the park will be closed via the Austral Street fire trail, Shoal Bay Boreline Road, Anna Bay Boreline, the West Shoal Bay Access Trail and the Government Radiation Zone Trail. These trails will reopen once the area is assessed as safe.

Smoke may be visible to residents in Shoal Bay and Nelson Bay. People vulnerable to smoke are encouraged to stay indoors and keep 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.

People with known health conditions can sign up to receive air quality reports, forecasts and alerts via email or SMS from the Department of Planning and Environment.

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

More information on hazard reduction activities is available at NSW Rural Fire Service and the RFS 'Fires Near Me'.