Smoky skies may be a common sight across the Illawarra over coming weeks with firefighters taking advantage of unseasonably warm and dry autumn weather to undertake controlled burns.
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The region woke in a haze on Wednesday morning after smoke drifted across from a burn off in the Blue Mountains overnight; and the conditions continued with a hazard reduction burn in Darkes Forest during the day.
NSW Rural Fire Service Superintendent Greg Wardle said 81 hectares of bushland was being burnt in Dharawal National Park and neighbouring properties along the south of Darkes Forest Road, in readiness for the next fire season.
It was likely to continue until Thursday with Darkes Forest Riding Ranch trails closed during the burn off.
“Whenever we have favourable weather conditions to undertake hazard reduction burns, we will take the opportunity to get as many done as we can,” Supt Wardle said.
“It’s unusual for us to be able to undertake burning so late into the autumn months, but the dry conditions give us that chance.”
There’s no burns planned for the weekend, with wet and windy weather expected; however Supt Wardle urged residents to check the RFS website for updates.
Firefighters were also working with police to investigate a number of fires, suspected to be arson, in the Balgownie/ Tarrawanna area over recent weeks.
“Firefighters were called to the fire burning in bushland near Hawthorn Street at 6am on Wednesday morning, and soon contained it,” he said. “Fire investigators also attended and we will work closely with police to determine who’s responsible.”
Meantime, Supt Wardle urged those affected by the smoke, especially those with respiratory conditions like asthma, to keep inside as much as possible.
“Try and steer clear of these areas, and close windows and doors if there’s smoke around,” he said.
“We recognise there’s some discomfort caused to some residents but hazard reduction is a necessary activity we need to undertake, to reduce the risk of wild fires.”