Rain in the first weekend of August, hampered the Blue Mountains proposed hazard reduction program. But a burn is now set to go ahead tomorrow.
Blue Mountains district manager, Superintendent Nicholas Medianik said rain over the August 7-8 weekend across the local government area "impacted our proposed spring program, setting back most of the planned activities by several weeks".
An 85 hectare burn was planned on the eastern escarpment last weekend but "test burning ... indicated that several areas are just a little too damp".
Notice has now been provided for Friday August 20 to Sunday August 22 for that 85 hectare hazard reduction burn at Mitchells Pass. Significant local traffic control measures will be in place in the Blaxland/Emu Heights area especially on Mitchells Pass and Old Bathurst Road.
With current favourable weather conditions, fire agencies, land managers and private landholders are carrying out vital hazard reduction burns across the state to provide critical added protection to homes at risk of bushfires.
NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) Commissioner Rob Rogers said it is important to take advantage of every hazard reduction opportunity as wet weather and unfavourable conditions resulted in the postponement of several controlled burns across the state over the last few months.
Asthmatics and people with respiratory or heart conditions should take appropriate precautions, follow treatment and management plans and keep their medication on hand. For further information, go to www.health.nsw.gov.au/environment/factsheets/Pages/bushfire-smoke.aspx
A full list and map of scheduled hazard reduction burns is available at www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/hr
Further information on the proposed hazard Mountains reduction burn has been posted to:https://www.facebook.com/RFSBlueMountainsDistrict
Members of the public are reminded that they should only call Triple Zero (000) if they see an unattended fire.
If there is a hazard reduction burn planned for your area, the advice is to take the following steps:
- 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 clotheslines
- Ensure pets have a protected area
- Vehicles must slow down, keep windows up, turn headlights on
- Sightseers must keep away from burns for their own safety
- If you have asthma or a lung condition, reduce outdoor activities if smoke levels are high and if shortness of breath or coughing develops, take your reliever medicine or seek medical advice
