Forests NSW hazard reduction burns

Forests NSW plans a hazard reduction burn in several areas of Bago and Maragle State Forests east of Tumbarumba in the coming weeks.

Forests NSW Tumbarumba manager Chris Rhynehart said that burning would occur in the eastern sections of the hardwood forests and that smoke would be visible from some distance.

“We will be taking every precaution and will have skilled Forests NSW firefighting crews from Tumbarumba and Tumut to help ensure everything goes to plan,” he said.

Mr Rhynehart said burning would only go ahead under favourable weather conditions.

“The reason for the hazard reduction burn is to reduce fuel loads in the forests before the next fire season to protect these areas from the effects of wildfire and to provide a buffer against adjoining pine plantations.

“This needs to be carefully timed so that burning is done before it is too wet for the burn to be successful,” he said.

Mr Rhynehart said recent hazard reduction burns in Carabost State Forest and in the Bungongo State Forest, following the rain falls in March, had been very successful.

Forests NSW will also be conducting plantation establishment burns during May, prior to the planting season. Localities for these burns are the Bondo area east of Tumut, Batlow and in the Carabost area.