Firefighters backburning to contain Bundjalung National Park fire near Evans Head in northern NSW
Firefighters have been busy tackling a bushfire which has ripped through a national park near a northern NSW tourist town. It comes as dozens of fires burn statewide. Here’s the latest.
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Firefighters are confident they have all but contained a large bushfire burning in Bundjalung National Park near Evans Head in the north of the state.
It comes as more than 70 fires have sparked statewide and 18 were not contained as of 9am this morning, according to the NSW Rural Fire Service.
The blaze near Evans stretching well over 500 hectares ignited south of the small tourist town about 41 kilometres south of Ballina. People staying at the park campground were quickly moved from the area.
Firefighters from various agencies, on the ground and in the air, have used backburning to great effect, despite having to be cautious for “unexploded ordnance” due to military aircraft training carried out in the area.
Some of the active explosive date back decades and firefighters have had to keep well clear.
The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has been offering help and advice.
The Evans Head Air Weapons Range air gunnery, rocket and bombing range has been in operation for decades.
Smoke has loomed over Evans for days, though no properties have been at threat.
On Wednesday morning, Rural Fire Service regional director Daniel Ainsworth said the fire was “not quite contained yet”, but firefighters were “about 90 per cent” of the way there.
“By Friday it will be 100 per cent contained,” he said.
Mr Ainsworth said residents may see an increased amount of smoke as backburning operations were finished off on Wednesday.
“Conditions are good” to battle the blaze, though a southerly change expected on Friday could present challenges if progress is not made as expected.
Mr Ainsworth said on Tuesday firefighters were working with the ADF and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).
North and Mid-North Coast is listed as facing high fire danger, but total fire bans are not currently in place.
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