NSW Rural Fire Service ignited a planned hazard reduction burn on Willans Hill on Sunday to protect Wagga's telecommunications infrastructure.
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Firefighters set fire to two hectares across both sides of the hill with the aim of clearing leaves and branches lying on the ground that could serve as fuel for a bushfire.
RFS incident controller Bradley Stewart said the hazard reduction burn had been planned for almost a year.
"There's a lot of critical telecommunications infrastructure on the hill that is susceptible to bushfire," he said.
"Previous fire in this area have had a tendency to burn fast and hot and if this infrastructure was damaged in a fire it would be more than inconvenient as it would also damage Wagga's economy.
"We're creating a buffer with two fire trails that won't stop a bushfire but they will slow it down and reduce its heat."
The hazard reduction burn was started at 10am and some smaller roads at the top off the Hill have been closed due to low visibility from smoke.
NSW RFS crews plan to remain at the site until 5pm on Sunday after starting the process of 'blacking out' the fire.
"We'll be back on the hill on Monday to check for hotspots," Mr Bradley said.
"NSW Fire and Rescue will monitor the area on Sunday night."
Mr Stewart said the "low intensity" burn had not damaged the environment would help native vegetation reproduce as many of their seeds depended on heat from fires to activate.
The burn had been publicised in advance via the Fires Near Me website and smartphone app and via social media.