HARRINGTON residents were startled by vast amounts of smoke spreading across the sky on Monday due to planned hazard reduction burning being carried out by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
A Facebook comment by Chez McKay on the Manning River Times page said that when travelling home from work in Port Macquarie "...some parts of the highway was so thick with smoke, everyone had to turn their lights on to see."
Ian Turner, local ranger for the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, said they were up against challenging conditions including unexpected winds.
However Ian told the Manning River Times that a combination of the winds, and the burning of coastal heath, vegetation commonly found on sand dunes, was what added to the intensity of the fire and smoke.
"We weren't expecting the intensity of the fire," said Ian.
"Although thanks to the additional support from local NSW Rural Fire Service crews we were able to keep any 'spot over' areas under control."
The 'spot overs' occurred when the fire broke out on to two private properties and one park.
The NSW Rural Service was at the site to assist with the burn, but additional local crews attended when conditions intensified.
The fire extinguished during the night.
Yesterday crews continued to patrol the area, monitoring any smoking trees and areas that could re-ignite easily.
Ian's advice for residents when near a hazard reduction burn site is:
o If you are close to the area being burnt off, keep watch. Furthermore tidy up around your premises.
o If you are asthmatic, it is advised to try and stay out of the smoke as much as possible.
The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service is planning for more hazard reduction burning in the Harrington division, but are waiting for calmer wind conditions.
