National parks and Wildlife Service conducts hazard reduction burn at Goonook Nature Reserve on Saturday September 11

"We attempted to undertake this important hazard reduction burn last Thursday (September 2), however an unexpected, light shower of rain meant the fire ground was too wet for us to successfully implement the fuel reduction burn," NPWS Area Manager Brett Cann said.

The purpose of the burn is to reduce fuel loads in the nature reserve adjacent to private residential properties west of Upper Lansdowne Road.

"Weather permitting, we'll implement the 244-hectare burn on Saturday, beginning at around 10am, with mop up and patrol continuing on Sunday and Monday.

"Our NPWS crews will be working on roads throughout Goonook Nature Reserve for the duration of the burn.

"We're asking locals to please exercise caution and follow directions of NPWS crews if driving on roads in the area.

"If you are vulnerable to smoke, we encourage you to stay indoors and keep your doors and windows closed to reduce exposure.

"This burn is one of the many that we're working hard to carry out in national parks across the Hunter and Central Coast region during Spring," said Mr Cann.

Hazard reduction burns are essential to reduce bushfire fuel loads to help protect the parks, neighbours and communities from future bushfires, he said.

For health information relating to smoke from bush fires and hazard reduction burning, visit the NSW Health website or the Asthma Foundation.

More information on hazard reduction activities: www.rfs.nsw.gov.au and the RFS 'Fires Near Me' website and app

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