Fire hits the Peninsula

The Peninsula area was hit by fire in the last two weeks, with blazes starting in Woy Woy South and the Patonga areas.

A fire started on private property in Woy Woy South at around midday on Thursday, January 30, quickly spreading into Brisbane Water National Park.

Using strategic back burning, 150 workers managed to contain the northern end of the blaze that evening despite temperatures in the mid-40s.

They continued to work on the southern end on January 31, patrolling and attempting to contain some areas.

The baseball pitch at Rogers Park cricket ground was used for heli-tankers to re-fuel, collecting water supplies from Correa Bay to drop on spot fires.

No property was lost in the fire but 100 hectares of land was burnt out.

Ms Sam Mattila from National Parks said that fire authorities suspected the fire was deliberately lit.

"There were two ignition points starting on Nagari Rd in Woy Woy South," she said.

Members of the public were urged to contact police if they witnessed any suspicious activity in Nagari Rd on Thursday, January 30.

National Parks also suspected a fire was deliberately lit in the Patonga area the same weekend.

The fire, which started on Patonga Drive early Sunday morning also moved into Brisbane Water National Park.

According to Susan Butler from the rural fire service, the fire was contained by the evening of Sunday, February 2.

"Back burning was used to contain the fire and crews continue to patrol the area," she said.

No property was damaged but the fire is considered suspicious and any people who may have witnessed something are urged to call the police.

Fires such as these have been the result of extreme weather conditions this summer, which include a combination of high temperatures and strong westerly winds.

In preparation for extreme temperatures forecast for Thursday, January 30, National Parks closed all walking tracks and trails in Brisbane Water National Park and Bouddi National Park.

They also closed all parks and reserves with the exception of Girrakool and Somersby Falls Picnic areas in Brisbane Water National Park.

Similar actions were also taken over the recent Australia Day long-weekend during an unprecedented four-day total fire ban with the closure of the Putty Beach camping ground in Bouddi National Park.

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service director-general Mr Brian Gilligan said that park visitors should obey closures for their own well-being.

"On hot, dry, windy days bushfires can start very easily and evacuations in the event of fire can prove treacherous."

"They can also place enormous strain on emergency services already committed to property and life protection in areas under immediate threat from fire," he said.

To find out about park closures National Parks and Wildlife Service can be contacted via the website www.npws.nsw.gov.au or by phoning the National Parks Centre on 1300 361 967.

Alison Branley and press release, February 6