Sydney Olympic Park is home to a very rare forest community. Most of the 13-hectare remnant of Sydney Turpentine Ironbark Forest is a critically endangered ecological community with only 0.5% of the original pre-European extent remain today.
The importance of controlled burns
Most of the forest has not burned for over 100 years, well over the recommended fire frequency of 15 to 30 years. This negatively impacts the many plant species that require fire or smoke to germinate.
A controlled burn is required both to maintain the forest’s plant diversity and structure, and to reduce fuel load to protect surrounding properties from potential wildfires.
The delicate balance: Heritage preservation and fire risk management
On March 40 dedicated firefighters from NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and Fire and Rescue NSW conducted a controlled burn over 4 hectares of the forest. This is the second burn after an initial one in 2018 in a different sector of the forest which resulted in much natural regeneration.
The burn started slowly in the morning due to high relative humidity and dew on vegetation. As the day warmed up and the moisture in the air lifted the burn was able to begin. The low-intensity, slow-moving burn only affected the understory, while the tree canopy remained untouched. Wildlife, including possums, Blue-tongue Lizard, and frogs, were able to escape unharmed, and heritage buildings were protected.
Collaboration and preparation
Although the burn itself lasted only a day, the vigilance of NPWS staff stayed well into the night to monitor the burnt area. Many returned over the subsequent days to monitor and secure the smouldering site. Their dedication and tireless efforts are deeply appreciated.
A lot of time and effort went into planning the burn, with regular moisture checks and clearance for asset protection by NPWS, advice from Fire and Rescue NSW, and other staff and contractors who worked hard to make the burn possible, from preparing maps, cleaning gutters, maintaining fire hydrants to organising community notifications.
Hopefully, we will soon see good regeneration of more plants in the critically-endangered Sydney Turpentine Ironbark Forest!
Morning debreif 
Heritage buildings protection