Flying fox colony spared as firefighters carry out hazard reduction burn at Blackbutt Reserve

The burn will cover a 16-hectare section of scrub and bushland at Blackbutt Reserve, throughout Tuesday.

The area borders Captain Cook Drive and has been limited, in order to protect a flying fox colony. 

Superintendent Greg Wardle, RFS District Manager for the Illawarra, said the burn was aimed at directly protecting more than 50 homes in the area. 

“Over the years there’s been a number of [deliberately lit fires] in that area, so it was identified as an area of risk.”

Crews from 12 RFS trucks and two from Fire and Rescue NSW are involved in the burn. 

With fuel moisture levels unusually low, emergency services were taking no chances, said Supt Wardle. 

“Fuel moisture readings are around the 12-13 per cent mark, which is not something you’d normally see in this area until the end of September and into October,” he said. 

“Obviously the lack of rain and the severe wind over the last few weeks had certainly dried things out considerably, that’s why we’re taking the opportunity now, when the temperatures aren’t that high, to undertake as many of these hazard reduction burns as we can.” 

Firefighters are taking care not to interfere with a colony of grey headed flying fox, south of the burn site. 

“We’ve cut that area out of the burn to protect the wildlife there. There’s only a small window of opportunity for us to undertake those burns because of that bat colony and their breeding breeding cycle, between now and when it gets too hot and dry.

“If [moisture levels] drop below 10 per cent, that’s too dry for me.” 

Firefighters are urging residents to bring forward their fire preparations, in line with the unseasonsal dryness. 

Residents should review their bushfire survival plans, clear their gutters and remove debris from around their homes. 

In the wake of a fire that destroyed two homes at Coalcliff on Friday night – since revealed to have begun in a backyard fire pit – Supt Wardle called for caution.

“If people are going to have backyard fires in fire pits, then they need to take into consideration the the conditions at the time, and high winds are not really the time when people need to be having backyard fires,” he said.