Hazard reduction burn in Upper Nepean State Conservation Area

The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), together with the NSW Rural Fire Service and Water NSW, will be undertaking a hazard reduction burn in the Upper Nepean State Conservation Area (SCA) starting Thursday 10 April.

The Forest Creek Hazard Reduction Burn will reduce the bushfire risk to the SCA and the township of Yerrinbool in the Southern Highlands.

Around 70 firefighters will undertake this important burn which will also help protect key koala habitat and water quality within the Metropolitan Catchment.

Temporary signage will be in place advising motorists of potential smoke in the area specifically along the Old Hume Highway and the Hume Freeway.

Motorists are advised smoke may affect roads and are reminded to drive to conditions and follow directions of fire crews.

Hazard reduction burns are essential to reduce bushfire fuel loads to help protect parks, neighbours and communities from future bushfires.

Controlled burns are planned well in advance to minimise impact on the environment and the community. These burns are endorsed by the local Bushfire Risk Management Committee.

This burn is one of many hazard reduction operations undertaken by NPWS each year, many with assistance from the Rural Fire Service, Fire and Rescue NSW and NSW Forest Corporation.

Burns across NSW will continue to be coordinated with the RFS and FRNSW to ensure the impact on the community, including from smoke, are assessed at a regional level.

Details on specific burns are made available in advance on the Rural Fire Service website, Hazards Near Me app, and on NPWS Alerts website.

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

For up-to-date information on these, and other, planned hazard reduction activities, visit the Rural Fire Service.