A hazard reduction burn is being staged in Ballengarra State Forest, south of Kempsey, to improve forest health and reduce fuel loads.

The operation, involving Forestry Corporation and NSW Rural Fire Service crews, commenced on Friday with the first stage of the burn to be completed on Monday afternoon.

Forestry Corporation Northern Area Manager James Jaggers said the planned burn near Telegraph Point aims to reduce fuel loads across 762-hectares in total.

“Fire is being introduced into the environment through low intensity burning as a mosaic of slow-moving firelines is important to improving forest health. We have excluded any of the areas of forest that have been impacted by recent wildfire activity,” Mr Jaggers said.

“In planning this burn we have taken the opportunity to conduct this low intensity burn in favourable weather conditions.

“This narrow weather window also presents favourable wind conditions to reduce the impact of smoke on nearby properties and towns.

“This joint agency operation is seeing our firefighters work closely with local RFS crews with the aim to protect a number of assets including neighbouring rural properties and the nearby Hayden Timbers sawmill,” he said.

As one of NSW’s four firefighting agencies, Forestry Corporation manages two million hectares of state forests, working closely with the Rural Fire Service, Fire and Rescue NSW and the National Parks and Wildlife Service.

To find out more about Forestry Corporation go to www.forestrycorporation.com.au