Mount Canobolas State Conservation area was declared completely closed to the public on February 19, following major bushfires in the area.

Since then, National Parks and Wildlife Services (NPWS) has reopened the road to the summit of Mount Canobolas, but warned the environment is still too volatile for recreational activities.

NPWS Ranger Steve Woodhall was part of a team which assessed the damage last month.

“There are 200 steps and seven directional signs to be replaced,” he said.

“We will reassess in September, but it could be as long as 12 months before walking tracks and camping areas reopen.”

Mr Woodhall said the onset of cold weather will slow down the regeneration process.

“The grass and ferns have started to come back but it’ll probably be four or five years before we see the grounds return to what they were,” he said.

Entry to a closed area of a national park is against the law, with those who do so risking a maximum penalty of $3,300.

Rangers patrol the area at times and have the capacity to issue on-the-spot fines of up to $300, although Mr Woodhall said fining the public was not his prerogative – protecting the public was.

“Burnt branches fall and burnt out steps break – we don’t want to see broken backs or ankles,” he said.

“The soils are very fragile at the moment and there’s the potential for damage and erosion.”

This week a group of botanists and bird experts met with NPWS rangers to put together a post-fire recovery plan, discussing ways to best manage the re-population of rare species of plants and animals, how to encourage soil stability, and how best to monitor regeneration in the wake of the devastation.

“Trees have started coppicing, with new branches growing from trunks,” Mr Woodhall said.

“Kangaroos, wallabies, echidnas and some birds have returned, when they come back we’ll see more plants and insects.

“The park needs time to recover and people need to expect that it’ll take time.”