Forests NSW intends to embark on an extensive program of hazard reduction and site preparation burns earlier than usual this year in the southern Monaro due to recent rains.

Forests NSW Resource and Protection manager, Jason Vincent, said the autumn burns were scheduled to start around Victorian/NSW border area in March and, weather permitting, would conclude at the end of May. 

"There is a limited window of opportunity to burn when it’s not too hot or too wet, and we need a couple of days of fine weather in a row before we can burn," he said.

"If people see smoke in the region in the next few months, it may well be a hazard reduction burn."

Mr Vincent said the main objective of the burns was to reduce fuels at different locations around the region. 

"By conducting cooler controlled burns now to reduce fuel levels, we provide a safer environment for firefighters to confidently control wildfires, and minimise their size during summer," he said.

Mr Vincent said this season’s program would see a cooperative burning program occurring between Forests NSW, NSW Rural Fire Service, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and Department of Sustainability and Environment in Victoria.

"All agencies make efforts to minimise the inconvenience caused by smoke. To help us achieve this, we receive special fire weather forecasts from the Bureau of Meteorology to determine prevailing winds, which assists us in carrying out the burn with the least impact. 

"However at times, despite our best efforts, smoke will drift into neighbouring communities and settle in low-lying areas," he said.

Mr Vincent said an extensive burns program was planned for the Victorian/NSW border area

"These burns will be easily seen by the majority of people in and around Delegate and Bombala," he said.

Mr Vincent said as usual, Forests NSW would be providing considerable resources to effectively complete the hazard reduction program, including a helicopter, small earthmoving plant, water carts, fire tankers and experienced fire-fighting personnel.

He said each burn was carefully planned and the environmental impact carefully assessed. District Bushfire Management Committees approve all Forests NSW hazard reduction burns.

Media contact: Sarah Chester (02) 6036 2110 or 0417 207 669