Hazard reductions in northern Sydney
Published: 12th November 2014
Fire & Rescue NSW (FRNSW), in conjunction with the Department of Defence, Sydney Harbour Federation Trust, Willoughby City Council and the NSW Rural Fire Service, will carry out three hazard reduction operations in Sydney’s north, including Middle Head, today <12 November>.
More than 20 FRNSW firefighters will conduct the 2.3ha hazard reduction at Chowder Bay Rd, Middle Head, and nearly 20 more FRNSW firefighters will undertake the 1.2ha operation at the Castlecrag Northern Escarpment, Edinburgh Rd, Castlecrag.
FRNSW and NSW RFS firefighters also plan to undertake a 0.8ha hazard reduction at Woolrych Reserve, Davidson, this evening from 7pm.
There will be a lot of smoke due to the high fuel loads in these areas. Smoke from the Chowder Bay operation will be visible from the city and around Sydney Harbour.
Residents in these areas should not be alarmed and should only call Triple Zero (000) in the event of an emergency.
Residents in the area are advised to take the following precautions:
• Keep doors and windows closed to prevent smoke entering homes
• Keep outdoor furniture under cover to prevent ember burns
• Retract pool covers to prevent ember damage
• Remove washing from clotheslines
• Ensure pets have a protected area
• Vehicles must slow down, keep windows up, turn headlights on
• Sightseers must keep away from burns for their own safety
• If you have asthma or a lung condition, reduce outdoor activities if smoke levels are high and if shortness of breath or coughing develops, take your reliever medicine or seek medical advice.
A full list of hazard reductions is available on the RFS website – www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/hr