Have a look at burns planned for your area

6 August, 2012

The Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) is inviting Victorians to view the draft plans that set out fire prevention works, including planned burns, for their area.

DSE Chief Fire Officer Ewan Waller said the draft Fire Operations Plans show where DSE and Parks Victoria are proposing to do planned burning and other fire prevention activities such as slashing, mowing and clearing works and construction of fire breaks over the next three years.

“People can go online or drop into any DSE or Parks Victoria office to have a look at the plans that outline works and accompanying maps that pin point where burns will be conducted,” Mr Waller said.

“The plans are being put together based on conversations we are having with local communities and key stakeholders such the CFA, local councils, winegrowers, bee keepers and the tourism industry.

“We’ll finalise this year’s plans in September but Victorians will still have the opportunity to discuss the draft plans throughout August. We are looking for local knowledge and feedback, and welcome input to our local planning process.”

In the 2012/13 financial year, DSE and Parks Victoria are aiming to complete 250,000 hectares of planned burning across the state if weather and other conditions are suitable.

“Our burn program is planned around risk reduction to people, property and communities. We look at where severe bushfires may start and spread and how we can reduce their size and intensity and the damage from spot fires and embers,” Mr Waller said.

“Burns will be conducted close to communities, in areas such as the Dandenongs and Otways, and in more remote areas to reduce the risk to local communities and the damage to the bush from large and intense bushfires.

“We divide public land into fire management zones to work out where and how much burning should be carried out. We burn a greater proportion of the zones that offer the highest protection to lives and assets.

“But burns in more remote country are also important to reduce the size and intensity of bushfires that start in these areas and reduce the risk these fires pose to communities and the environment.”

The Fire Operations Plans cover fire preventions works for the next three years, but are reviewed and updated every year with the latest local information.

Planned burning can only be carried out when the weather and other conditions, such as how dry the fuel is, are right. They are designed to be flexible, allowing the timing of proposed activities over the next three-year period to change in response to weather and conditions.

To see the draft Fire Operations Plan for your area visit your local DSE or Parks Victoria office or go to www.dse.vic.gov.au/burns