Entire island burns on the Hawkesbury River after lightning strike sparks huge bushfire
- NSW Rural Fire Service first received reports of a fire on Lion Island at 3pm
- National Parks and Wildlife are also on the island to help assess the damage
- Lion Island, on the Hawkesbury River, is home to a large little penguin colony
An entire island has erupted in flames after a lightning sparked a fire during a mid-afternoon storm.
New South Wales Rural Fire Service first received reports of a fire on Lion Island, on the Hawkesbury River near Palm Beach and Umina, at 3pm yesterday.
Inspector Ben Shepherd from the NSW RFS told Daily Mail Australia that there have been reports that a lightning strike is the cause.
New South Wales Rural Fire Service first had reports of a fire on Lion Island at 3pm yesterday
Inspector Ben Shepherd said at this stage there are reports of lightning hitting the island before the fire
Lion Island is classified as a nature reserve and is home to one New South Wales largest little penguin colonies
New South Wales Rural Fire Service tweeted an update to what was happening on Lion Island last night
In a tweet the RFS wrote: ‘Crews are on scene at a bush fire burning on Lion Island north of Palm Beach.
‘There are no threats and crews are liaising with National Parks and Wildlife before moving onto the Island to extinguish the fire.’
Lion Island is home to one of New South Wales largest little penguin colonies.
In 2007 there were 300 breeding pairs on the island and it appeared to be stable, however more recent reports suggest the colony is in decline.
The island is a nature reserve and signage on the little beach tells people that they can not be there.
There are also no foxes, or other animals deemed as ‘pests’ on the island.
In 2007 there were 300 breeding pairs on the island and it appeared to be stable, however more recent reports suggest the colony is in decline
There are no foxes or any other animals classed as pests on the island as to protect the penguins
There has been no impact to the fauna on the island but National Parks and Wildlife will be on scene today for a closer look
Firefighters first concern was the fauna on the island, particularly the penguins.
Attending firefighters chose to burn half the island in order to contain the fire.
The fire was contained at 8pm yesterday.
The NSW RFS said at this stage there has been no impact to the fauna on the island.
However National Parks and Wildlife will be on scene today for a closer look.
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