Smoke haze in Macarthur region as NSW RFS and NPWS continue hazard reduction burns in Wollondilly shire
Residents with asthma and lung conditions are being warned to take precautions from smoke from hazard reduction burns which are continuing in the region.
Macarthur
Don't miss out on the headlines from Macarthur. Followed categories will be added to My News.
RESIDENTS in the Macarthur region are being warned they may see increased smoke in the area as hazard reduction burns continue in the Wollondilly shire and neighbouring Wingecarribee.
The continuing warm and dry weather is allowing the NSW Rural Fire Service and National Parks Wildlife Service to carry out large-scale hazard reduction burns across a large part of NSW and locally a number of burns are also underway.
The hazard reduction burns include a 150ha site adjacent to Nattai at Dinner Creek. This burn is now in patrol status.
Burns are also being held at a 4643ha site at Yerranderie, at Kowmung Mountain, and a 4442ha site about 19km northwest of Mittagong at Surveyors Crag.
NSW RFS communisation satiety officer for the Southern Highlands, Inspector David Stimson said people with asthma or a lung condition should reduce their outdoor activities if smoke levels are high.
He said if shortness or breath or coughing develops, take your reliever medicine or seek medical advice.
“With the slightly warmer weather expected today, it is quite probable that the Surveyors Creek hazard reduction will contribute most to increased smoke levels which may be noticeable during many of the Anzac ceremonies scheduled for Anzac Day,’’ Insp Stimson said.
“The Kowmung and Surveyor’s Creek hazard reductions are large-scale and producing significant amounts of smoke which will drift across to the villages and towns of the Southern Highlands and be particularly noticeable in the morning after over night temperature inversions.’’
Insp Stimson said the large-scale hazard reduction burns had been planned for some time and had been affected in the past by wet weather.