Hazard reduction burn takes place

A planned hazard reduction burn, covering some 50 ha on the ridge and slopes above Glenrock Parade, Koolewong, was undertaken on Friday, August 1.

Others took place at Hawke Head Drive, Pretty Beach, and Broken Bay Sport and Recreation Camp at Patonga.

Rural Fire Service volunteer firefighters joined colleagues from the National Parks and Wildlife Service and NSW Fire Brigades in undertaking more than 20 significant hazard reduction burns around Sydney between August 1 and 3.

The commissioner of the NSW Rural Fire Service, Mr Phil Koperberg, said: "These hazard reduction burns are key in our strategy for how to minimise the threat to property during major bushfire events.

"Hazard reduction burns cut down bushfire fuel levels and while they never stop a bushfire, they provide an area that will burn less intensely should it be affected by bushfire, thereby providing a buffer zone for our firefighters."

Mr Koperberg said that an opportunity for successful hazard reduction burns presented itself for the weekend of August 1-3.

"It is vital to get the right balance between too wet and too dry to ensure that the hazard reduction burn is the right intensity to remove the bushfire fuels but not harm the environment," he said.

Press release, July 31