Community
17 April, 2024
FFV starts burning off across state
FOREST Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic) will take advantage of favourable weather and forest conditions across the Barwon South West to keep Victoria safer from the threat of bushfires.
FFMVic deputy chief fire officer David Rourke said planned burning is one of the tools FFMVic uses to keep Victoria safer from bushfires.
“Delivering our planned burning program takes a lot of planning and preparation,” he said.
“If you live in or are visiting an area where planned burning is taking place, there’s a good chance you’ll see FFMVic firefighters preparing locations or delivering planned burns. They’ll be the ones in our distinctive green firefighting uniforms.”
“In the Otways, areas around Lorne and Kennett River are a focus this year, as well as areas around Anglesea and further inland near Carlisle River and Gellibrand.”
Mr Rourke said FFV acknowledges tourism is important in the region and every effort is taken to minimise impacts on communities.
“As our work continues, visitors may see smoke from burns already completed or from new ignitions if conditions are right. We ask everyone, locals and visitors alike, to respect any road, walking track and site closures that may be in place,” he said.
“In addition to delivering burns to help reduce fuel loads, planned burns are also undertaken for ecological purposes to benefit native flora and fauna.
“This includes grassland burns at places like Cressy, burns in the Anglesea heath and burns to benefit species that need fire to regenerate.”
Mr Rourke said the bushfire risk management program is focused on creating a strategic network of fuel reduced areas on public land.
“We’re building on the work we have done previously and into the future to help keep our communities safer,” he said.
“Our climate is changing and that means finding the right days for safe and effective planned burning is also changing.
“We’ve experienced a dry summer and start to autumn across the Barwon South West region, and we’re balancing fire response with opportunities for planned burning.
“This includes burning later in the afternoon or evening to manage drier fuels when conditions are suitable and the use of aircraft to support burn operations.”
Mr Rourke said the bushfire risk management program is underpinned by scientific evidence, local knowledge and continuous improvement to make sure the work is focused where it will have the greatest impact in keeping Victoria safer.
“While planned burning is our most effective tool to reduce bushfire risk, in locations where planned burning isn’t suitable, we mulch, mow, slash and spray, build fuel breaks and upgrade and maintain the public land road network to keep Victoria safer,” he said.
FFMVic is made up of skilled and experienced staff from Victorian fire and land management agencies. Partners under the FFMVic banner include the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA), Parks Victoria, Melbourne Water and VicForests.
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/.