Planned burns to reduce risk of future bushfires

FOREST Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic) intends to take advantage of favourable weather and forest conditions across the state with priority burns, including in Indigo Shire, to reduce the risk of bushfires on the community and environment. FFMVic deputy chief fire officer Aaron Kennedy, said priority burns are planned in state forest, parks and reserves around Beechworth, Yackandandah, Bright, Marysville, Toolangi, Kinglake, Glenburn, Woods Point, Tatong, Howqua, Mitta Mitta, Koetong and Tallangatta Valley over coming weeks. He said more than 100 planned burns across an area of 46,300 hectares are prepared and ready for ignition in North East Victoria. "Planned burning is one of the key tools firefighters use to reduce the size, intensity, and impact of bushfires," Mr Kennedy said. “Reducing fuels such as grass, leaves, bark, shrubs and small fallen branches means fires are less intense, slower to spread and safer for firefighters to control. “Autumn is generally the best time of the year to undertake planned burns as the weather is more stable and fire behaviour is manageable and predictable.” “Given the limited opportunities to undertake planned burning, it is important that we commence this work as soon as weather and forest conditions are suitable.” Mr Kennedy said while planned burning is the most effective tool to reduce bushfire risk, in locations where planned burning isn’t suitable, crews will mulch, mow, slash and spray, build fuel breaks and upgrade and maintain the public land road network to keep Victoria safer. "We work with the Bureau of Meteorology to assess weather conditions, such as humidity, temperature and wind speed and will only carry out burns when the conditions are suitable, and it is safe to do so," he said. Mr Kennedy said FFMVic works with emergency sector partners including the Country Fire Authority, Fire Rescue Victoria and Emergency Management Victoria to manage bushfire risk, prepare communities and respond to bushfires and other emergencies. Register for the latest updates about where and when FFMVic deliver planned burning at https://plannedburns.ffm.vic.gov.au/.

Planned burns to reduce risk of future bushfires

Community support boosts morale for volunteer firefighters

Myrtleford SES aid in search for missing person

Fast-moving grass fires wreak havoc near Rutherglen

Elderly man hospitalised in Browns Plains collision

Aircraft called to contain Rutherglen grass fire

Rufous Whistler – arrival of a summer songbird

Bombers go back-to-back in A grade

“No stone unturned” – Police committed to the long-haul in manhunt

Start your engines, Wilby Drags are back

Most popular stories