Residents living near the Meryla State Forest in the Southern Highlands fear their lives could be at risk due to illegal four-wheel-drivers ruining the fire trails.
While the forest was not affected by bushfires last summer, it went close with the Morton fire stopping just 900 metres from homes at Meryla and burning through a large portion of the nearby Morton National Park.
Despite being closed following the fires, residents say they see more than a 100 four-wheel drive vehicles illegally ploughing through the forest each week, and it had made some trails impassable to fire vehicles.
Roy Johnson, who lives on the edge of the forest, said if there was a fire, or any other kind of emergency, there would be no access.
"The tracks are now in such a condition, no-one could actually get in to fight a fire nor would it be safe to send a fire crew in," Mr Johnson said.
"We're also concerned for emergency access. We can't get ambulances in or out."
Mr Johnson, along with other residents, is calling for the area to barricaded and for action to be taken, so the tracks do not degrade further.
A spokesperson for Forestry Corporation said it was working to repair the damage.
"Forestry Corporation is working progressively across the landscape to reopen extensive areas of fire-affected forests and investing in extensive infrastructure repair," the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson said the corporation was working with local bushfire management committees to identify and upgrade roads and fire trails that were strategic priorities.
Residents also concerned about environment
In addition to safety concerns, residents say the illegal use of the forest for four-wheel driving is having a devastating impact on the environment.
Resident Andrew Jackson said the damage was saddening.
"It causes erosion of the river banks, and when they can't get through on the track, they go around damage the trees," Mr Jackson said.
"There are Banksias more than 100 years old just being pushed down," he said.
The spokesperson for Forestry Corporation said plans were in motion to make the area a flora reserve.
This would mean handing the land to NSW National Parks and Wildlife who would maintain it instead.
The spokesperson said this would also streamline management and patrolling of recreational access between the forest and adjoining national parks.
The plan has not been finalised.
