Weemala West Hazard Reduction postponed
Published Date: 28 Jul 2017
Summary
Unfortunately we have had to make the hard decision to postpone our planned burn at Weemala Ave this weekend, Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th July 2017.
At this stage the hazard reduction between Clear view Parade and Mount View Ave Hazelbrook is still going ahead.
This was a tough decision, but after carefully con...sidering weather conditions it seems the safe thing to do.
An explanation: While conditions look ideal during the day on Saturday, it is Saturday night and Sunday that are the problem. Winds will increase Saturday night, and the relative humidity (RH) will stay low, meaning that the fuels will remain dry, and fire left in the burn area will remain quite active, as well as creating the risk that embers will blow into areas outside the burn.
Sunday the problem is compounded by warm temperatures, even lower RH's and winds averaging 30 - 40 kph, with gusts significantly higher. In those conditions, any escape would be difficult to control.
The burn itself is a significant size and is likely to continue to burn into Sunday, with a large amount of narrow trail as containment, and limited water supplies in the area (no town water in the street).
Unfortunately, when you add all these factors together it makes proceeding not a good option.
The NSW Rural Fire Service does not get many opportunities to burn, so passing one up is difficult, but the RFS feels in the best interests of the community.
The details of the postponed Hazard Reduction burn were:
Date: Saturday 29th July 2017 & Sunday 30th July 2017
Name of HR: Weemala West
Location: Weemala Avenue Linden
Size: 66.6 hectares
Lead Agency:RFS
