One strategy to reduce the risk of bush fires is to tackle the fine fuel load. Fine fuels can build up during the year, with the situation exacerbated when trees start to shed their bark. It’s highly flammable material that can allow ember attacks to turn into something very serious, very quickly.
To help mitigate the risk Northern Beaches Council is again undertaking a fine fuel collection on the Western Foreshores, starting December 6 from 8am.
What is fine fuel? Leaves, bark and twigs. That’s pretty much it. Twigs must be smaller in diameter than your little finger.
This means NO branches, palm fronds or other green waste of the kind that was collected in September, and absolutely no other rubbish of any kind.
Guidelines for collection of fine fuels:
- One Council-supplied bag per household
- Bags available for pickup from the wharves at North Elvina, South Elvina, Lovett Bay, Halls and Morning Bay from November 16
- Use ONLY those bags provided by council – others will not be picked up
- Bags to be placed as follows:
- Residents of Lovett Bay North, Little Lovett Bay and Morning Bay to place bags on private jetties, if accessible at low tide, or at your public wharf
- Residents of McCarrs Creek should use private jetties or a public wharf; there will be roadside collection for 77 Douglass Estate.
- Residents of Lovett Bay South and Elvina Bay to place bags on private jetties, if accessible at low tide, or at your public wharf. Roadside collection available only if there is no water frontage or your private jetty is not accessible at low tide.
At public wharves, secure the bag at the wharf entrance to avoid spillage and ensure pedestrian access.
For roadside collection, leave a 3m gap on the road or trail to allow emergency access.
Feature image: Size matters when it comes to fine fuels. Photo: Sara Nimmo