Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) crews have successfully completed a strategic hazard reduction burn to protect the headland at North Mona Vale, on Sydney's northern beaches.
FRNSW deployed firefighters from Mona Vale, Mount Druitt, Silverwater, Campsie, Fairfield, and Lidcombe around the half-hectare coastal site.
FRNSW Bushfire Officer, Kyle Macorig, said the controlled burn took four hours to complete.
Containment lines
"We were faced with vegetation known as 'coastal heath’ which can be very volatile when it catches fire...it burns hot and quickly," Senior Firefighter Macorig said.
"Our teams set up containment lines, bordered by walking tracks and the cliff face to the beach, keeping flame heights to three or four metres to ensure safe management of the fuel load. Although it was only a small area, the fuel load was extremely high.”
"Not only has this operation made the area safer, but it will have ecological benefits as well."
Infrared capabilities
Fire crews launched a Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) or drone, with infrared capabilities, to maintain an 'eye in the sky' to ensure the fire didn't jump containment lines and to assist firefighters with the mopping up.
