Forests NSW intends to embark on an extensive program of 24 hazard reduction and site preparation burns earlier than usual this year in the Central West due to recent rains.

Forests NSW Operations and Protection Manager, Russell Cowgill, said the autumn burns, totalling approximately 6500 hectares this year, were scheduled to start around Oberon 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 Cowgill 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.

 "This season’s program will also include some joint burning with the National Parks and Wildlife Service on a common boundary.

"We will also be assisting the Rural Fire Service by conducting some burning on private property adjacent to State forest in the Bathurst area, but the majority of our hazard reduction work will be in State forests using Forests NSW staff and equipment.

"There will be one burn in particular which will be highly visible to a lot of people.

"This is an extensive burn east of Bathurst in Sunny Corner State Forest. This burn will be easily seen by the majority of people in and around Bathurst.

"As usual, Forests NSW will 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.

"We 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.

Burning will be taking place in Canobolas State Forest near Orange, Pennsylvania and Neville State Forests near Blayney, Vulcan, Gurnang, Hampton, and Jenolan State Forests near Oberon, Sunny Corner State Forest near Bathurst and Newnes State Forest near Lithgow.

Media contact: Sarah Chester (02) 6036 2110 or O417 207 669