Large hazard reduction burn planned for Brindabella National Park

Media release: 9 May 2013

The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is planning to carry out an 800 hectare hazard reduction burn on Friday, May 10, in Brindabella National Park 25 kilometres west of Canberra if forecasted conditions remain favourable.

Two Sticks Road will be closed between Curries road and Piccadilly Circus.

The burn will take place to the northwest of Piccadilly Circus at the top of the range. As a consequence Canberrans are likely to see a considerable amount of smoke.

NPWS Area Manager Peter Clark said today the burn would involve a number of different agencies.

“This is an operation that will involve ACT Parks, the ACT Rural Fire Service, NSW Parks, and the NSW Rural Fire Service,” Mr Clark said.

“We may also close Brindabella Road between Piccadilly Circus and the Brindabella Valley between the hours of 1pm and 6pm on Thursday, but the decision to close will depend on fire behaviour and the risk to the travelling public.

“The burn is being carried out to reduce fuel levels in an area of the park identified in the Brindabella National Park Fire Management Plan.

“This is part of our autumn burning program, taking advantage of ideal conditions in which to conduct hazard reductions safely. It is strategically targeted at limiting the potential for wildfire to spread and impact on life and property,” Mr Clark said.

This hazard reduction activity is part of the NSW Government’s $62 million commitment to boost bushfire preparedness.

More information on the road closure can be found on the NPWS web site. http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/

Since 1 July 2012 the NPWS has completed more than 210 burns totalling more than 110,000ha – our largest ever hazard reduction program. This is more than 65 per cent of all hazard reduction carried out in NSW during the period, despite NPWS managing just nine percent of the state.

This hazard reduction burn is part of the NSW Government’s $62.5 million package to boost bushfire preparedness and double hazard reduction in the state’s national parks where conditions allow.

Photos and video for news media:
http://www.flickr.com/search/?w=9028794@N03&q=hazard%20reduction

Hazard reduction burns across land tenures:
www.rfs.nsw.gov.au

Contact: Lucy Morrell