Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) has carried out a major hazard reduction burn, eliminating the threat of a large grassland fire on the edge of Denman, in the state’s upper Hunter.
FRNSW has responsibility for hazard reduction operations where bushland meets built-up areas across the state.
NSW Rural Fire Service
In this operation, FRNSW teamed up with the NSW Rural Fire Service to burn 40 hectares of grassland on the western outskirts of the township, known as Denman Common.
FRNSW Bushfire Officer, Kyle Macorig, said the hazard reduction burn has allayed residents’ fears about the risk of bushfires igniting the tall grassland and threatening nearby homes.
How dangerous grassfires can be
FRNSW teamed up with the NSW Rural Fire Service to burn 40 hectares of grassland
"Grassland is very different to burning bush…because it tends to dry out really quickly, this burn didn’t take long at all," said Senior Firefighter, Kyle Macorig.
Kyle Macorig adds, "It burned hot, it burned hard but that was to be expected and showed crews how dangerous grassfires can be."
FRNSW Bushfire team
Kyle Macorig continues, "We had grass…two meters high…it is an indication of the fuel load that is apparent across the state, particularly after the last three years of rainfall that we have had, so it was good to get this one burned under controlled conditions, and the residents were very, very happy."
The FRNSW Bushfire team is planning additional burns at the North Mona Vale headland in Sydney tomorrow, an operation at Llandilo in Sydney’s west on Friday and a 38-hectare burn at Cameron Park near Newcastle on Saturday, weather permitting.
