A hazard reduction burn is planned to take place in the Clarence Valley next week, as Forestry Corporation reduces forest fuel loads ahead of the bushfire season.

Forestry Corporation will start the burn on Tuesday, June 27, across 3500-hectares in the Candole State Forest, north-west of Wooli.

Protection Supervisor North Coast Steve Pickering said hazard reduction burns are an important part of Forestry Corporation’s fire season preparations.

“The idea is to get a perimeter on the hazard reduction burn this week and do an internal hazard reduction burn over the next few weeks,” Mr Pickering said.

“This will be a cool burn leaving lots of unburnt patches and refuges for wildlife, moist gullies and slow-moving fire allowing plenty of time for wildlife to find those refuges.

“The weather predictions are for predominantly westerly winds so smoke may be visible rising from the Candole State Forest and shifting out to Minnie Water and Wooli.

“We are hoping that a lot of the smoke dissipates over the ocean, but it may drift back inland overnight with cooler temperatures.

“This time of year presents the ideal window to burn forest fuel loads.

“Hazard reduction burns were last staged in Candole State Forest over 20 years ago and this is the first season in a long time that has allowed hazard reduction burns to be staged as the past two to three years have been too wet.”

The hazard reduction will involve around 80 Forestry Corporation and Rural Fire Service firefighters.

Warning signs and traffic control will be in place along Wooli Road.

Motorists are advised to slow down in smoky conditions.

Further information is available on the RFS website www.rfs.nsw.gov.au and the RFS’s Hazards Near Me NSW app as planned events.

Media contact: Matt Deans 0429 621 845