Forestry Corporation of NSW is today starting hazard reduction burning near Bermagui and Eden to help protect forests and neighbouring private property against wildfires.

Smoke may be visible in Bermagui and Nullica State Forests and from surrounding areas, including the Princes Highway, Nethercote Road, Wallaga Lake Road and Cobargo Bermagui Road.

Forestry Corporation will be closing Scenic Forest Drive and Broadwater Road until Saturday 29 April.

The Bermagui State Forest burn is around two kilometres north west of Bermagui and plans to treat 221 hectares of bushland.

The Nullica State Forest burn is happening approximately three kilometres north west of Eden and plans to treat 885 hectares of bushland.

Autumn is one of the key times to reduce the forest’s fuel load and help protect communities and the environment against bushfires, said Forestry Corporation Protection Supervisor, Peter Carstairs.

“We had a very mild fire season, which has recently wrapped up; it’s now time to start preparing for next summer,” Mr Carstairs said.

The hazard reduction burns are visible on the “Fires Near Me” app as a planned event.

Forestry Corporation firefighters will carefully monitor all controlled burns to ensure the weather is suitable and the burns stay within containment lines.

Forestry Corporation is responsible for more than 2.2 million hectares of native and planted forests and has been formally involved in firefighting in NSW for 100 years.

For more information about hazard reduction burns, contact the Forestry Corporation Batemans Bay Office on 1300 880 548.

Media contact: Rod Campbell