Burn-off conducted over North Head by National Parks and Wildlife Service, Fire and Rescue NSW

A HUGE plume of smoke rose over North Head today during a hazard-reduction burn by the National Parks and Wildlife Service and Fire and Rescue NSW.

A HUGE plume of smoke rose over North Head today during a hazard-reduction burn by the National Parks and Wildlife Service and Fire and Rescue NSW.

NPWS regional manager Peter Hay said the 11ha burn was undertaken to protect neighbouring properties and the endangered little penguin population from large fire events by reducing fuel loads in the area.

National Park Hazard reduction fire photographed from Manly Whar. Photo: Adam Ward

“The burn took place to the north of the Quarantine Station, east of Store Beach and to the south of Collins Beach Rd,” he said. “The fire area is to the west of North Head Scenic Drive, which ­remained open during the burn.”

Mr Hay said the burn-off was timed so as not to coincide with the little penguins’ breeding season and a survey was ­undertaken to confirm that there were no penguins in the area, with ­additional checking just before the burn began.

This burn is one of many being undertaken by NPWS across NSW, as conditions allow, with ­assistance from the Rural Fire Service and Fire and Rescue NSW, and are part of the State Government’s $76 million package over six years to boost bushfire preparedness and double hazard reduction in the state’s national parks.