The road to Gloucester Tops plateau in Barrington Tops National Park has been closed today (29/9/09) due to fires in the reserve.

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Hunter Region acting Manager Terry Evans said in the interests of public safety the access road was closed at midday to ensure park visitors did not get caught by fires.

Fires jumped the Gloucester Tops road and into the park from the Sharpe’s Creek area.

“The road would be closed until further notice and the situation would be reviewed on a daily basis,’’ Mr Evans said.

Mr Evans said the road closure was part of a number of measures happening around the Hunter Region national parks to manage the parks in the midst of the current bushfire emergency.

Yesterday, the NPWS Hunter Region put in place a park fire ban due to the hazardous and dry weather conditions and ongoing bushfire situation in the Great Lakes, Port Stephens and Gloucester areas.

He advised people intending to spend time in a national park over the long weekend to contact visitor information centres, the local NPWS office or check the NPWS website on www.environment.nsw.gov.au if they required further details on park closures to avoid disappointment./

The road to Gloucester Tops plateau in Barrington Tops National Park has been closed today (29/9/09) due to fires in the reserve.

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Hunter Region acting Manager Terry Evans said in the interests of public safety the access road was closed at midday to ensure park visitors did not get caught by fires.

Fires jumped the Gloucester Tops road and into the park from the Sharpe’s Creek area.

“The road would be closed until further notice and the situation would be reviewed on a daily basis,’’ Mr Evans said.

Mr Evans said the road closure was part of a number of measures happening around the Hunter Region national parks to manage the parks in the midst of the current bushfire emergency.

Yesterday, the NPWS Hunter Region put in place a park fire ban due to the hazardous and dry weather conditions and ongoing bushfire situation in the Great Lakes, Port Stephens and Gloucester areas.

He advised people intending to spend time in a national park over the long weekend to contact visitor information centres, the local NPWS office or check the NPWS website on www.environment.nsw.gov.au if they required further details on park closures to avoid disappointment./