Hazard reduction burn in Tomaree National Park

National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is conducting a hazard reduction burn in Tomaree National Park on Friday 4 September, subject to suitable weather conditions.

The 5-hectare burn is located south of Shoal Bay Road – approximately 1 km west of Shoal Bay and east and adjacent to the Tomaree Community Hospital (Polyclinic).

The aim of the burn is to reduce the chance of wildfire impacts to the park, neighbours and local communities and it will be carried out in a sensitive way to protect the natural and cultural values of the park.

All tracks and trails within the burn area, including informal ones, will be closed, including Shoal Bay Boreline, the northern end of Anna Bay Boreline and sections of the shared pathway on Gowrie Avenue and Shoal Bay Roads. Tracks will reopen following a safety assessment.

Smoke may affect the area and people with asthma or other respiratory problems are advised to keep clear of the area or stay indoors, close windows and doors, and follow their health plan.

Motorists are reminded to drive to conditions and are advised to take care if visibility is reduced by smoke.

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

For health information relating to smoke from bushfires and hazard reduction burns, visit NSW Health or Asthma Australia.

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

These hazard reduction burns are essential to reduce bushfire fuel loads to help protect the parks, their natural and cultural values, neighbours and communities from summer bushfires.

More information on hazard reduction activities is available at NSW Rural Fire Service and the NSW Government's Hazards Near Me website and app.