Burning off is planned

Fire hazard reduction burns are planned on the Scenic Rd, Killcare Heights, Bouddi National Park and Wards Hill Rd, near Empire Bay Drive, Empire Bay, over the coming weeks.

The reduction burning is planned as part of the NSW Rural Fire Service and NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service program for 2004.

The program has been approved by the District Bush Fire Management Committee and residents in the Peninsula area can expect to see smoke over the coming weeks and months.

Hazard reduction burns are used to clear undergrowth and ground fuels in strategic areas of bushland around the urban interface.

Effective hazard reduction can only be carried out within a narrow window of conducive weather, requiring the right wind and temperature conditions and the ground fuels to be sufficiently dry to burn effectively, according to a Rural Fire Service spokesman;

He also claimed the hazard reduction program was used to assist in maintaining the native bushland biodiversity.

"Many native plants depend on fire for their survival.

"Dormant seeds often require the heat of fire to trigger regrowth.

"At the same time, fire will assist in the removal of exotic plants and weeds."

The Service has advised residents who live near these areas that smoke from the fires may at times be quite thick.

It has advised persons who suffer breathing difficulties should remain indoors or take their normal health precautions.

It has also advised residents to:

Keep doors and windows closed to prevent smoke entering homes * Keep outdoor furniture under cover to prevent ember burns * Retract pool covers to prevent ember damage * Remove washing from clothes lines * Ensure pets and livestock have a protected area * Keep away from hazard reduction burns wherever possible * In smoky areas vehicles must slow down, keep windows up and turn headlights on * Listen to media reports for road closures, and details of smoke hazards on the day. Press release, April 21