A hazard reduction burn in the Wedding Bells State Forest, north-west of Coffs Harbour, this week will protect neighbouring properties from summer bushfires and safeguard Woolgoolga Mountain Bike Club infrastructure.

Forestry Corporation is undertaking the 3000ha burn reducing fuel loads in the state forest.

Fire and Operations Team Leader Tom Newby said favourable conditions have enabled the operation to go ahead in preparation for the upcoming bushfire season.

“This burn in Wedding Bells State Forest will also involve Rural Fire Service crews and the Coffs Harbour Local Aboriginal Land Council as a fuel reduction activity with burns taking place 5km north-west of Arrawarra around the Woolgoolga Mountain Bike Club trails and 6km west of Woolgoolga,” Mr Newby said.

“The burn is aimed to protect community and Aboriginal cultural heritage values in the forest, the mountain bike club infrastructure and private properties to the north of the forest.

“These sections of Wedding Bells State Forest were unburnt during the 2019 bushfire season so it’s important to reduce fuel loads while we have a narrow window of opportunity to conduct burns ahead of summer.

“A weather front coming through has given us cool, dry conditions, fortunately there have been southerly winds and the smoke modelling with the RFS is favourable to minimise the smoke impacts on the community and the Pacific Highway.

“With that said we would like to advise the community on the Northern Beaches there may be some smoke evident,” he said.

If you require further information on these operations; please contact the regional office on  
1300 880 845 during business hours.

Keep up to date on NSW fire operations via the Rural Fire Service website or the Hazards Near Me App.

To find out more about Forestry Corporation’s firefighting operations visit www.forestrycorporation.com.au