Fire Management

Within the context of the Department of Environment and Primary Industries (DEPI) responsibilities, fire management comprises all activities associated with the management of fire-prone public land which includes National Parks, State Parks and forests. This involves the management of both wildfire and the use of fire to meet land management goals and objectives. This includes the use of planned fire (planned burns) on public land.

Fire plays an integral role in the management of our parks and forests. Fire management needs to be conducted with an understanding of both the role fire plays in biodiversity maintenance, and with the threats it can pose to life and property. Park and forest management must accommodate both the inevitability of wildfire and the planned use of fire for a variety of purposes.

Within DEPI, responsibility for the provision of authoritative advice on the prevention and suppression of wildfire, and or the use of planned fire rests with the Fire Management business - this also includes monitoring fire on public land across the State, coordinating an appropriate incident response, developing specialist fire equipment, and managing fire-related training and research.

This section contains information relating to fire prevention and suppression practices, including the causes of wildfire and the equipment and technology used to combat fire.

Fire Suppression
Causes of Bushfire
Fire Prevention

Government inquiries into Bushfire Management in Victoria
History of Fire Management on public land in Victoria

Integrated (Municipal) Fire Management Planning - IFMP - links to external website
DEPI Fire Operation Plans
DEPI Fire Protection Plans
Road Management Plan

Code of Practice