NPWS Area Manager Greg Tedder said the fuel reduction would take about three days to complete.

“This 600 hectare burn will reduce fuels just south of Hames Road, about six kilometres south west of HMAS Albatross Airfield,” Mr Tedder said.

“The burn is aimed at creating a strategic fire break and reducing the potential impact of wildfire on private properties in the Hames Road area.

Mr Tedder said the operation should be completed by week’s end, but some smoke would continue to emanate from the fire ground over the following week.

“Every effort will be made to minimise impact from smoke however motorists using the Braidwood Road on Wednesday and Thursday are asked to proceed with caution in the Hames Road area.

“Smoke is likely to drift across local roads in the area reducing visibility.

“Residents in the Hames Road area are advised to take the usual precautions closing windows and not leaving washing on the line.”

So far this financial year, the NPWS has carried out around 100 hazard reduction burns treating about 50,000 hectares. This represents more than three quarters of the total amount of hazard reduction burning conducted across NSW, some of which was conducted with the assistance of RFS and NSWFR.

There are about a further 350 burns still scheduled in the coming months to take advantage of weather conditions that allow safe burning to proceed.

For information on planned hazard reduction burns across all land tenures:

www.rfs.nsw.gov.au