FFMVic deputy chief fire officer Aaron Kennedy said planned burning was one of the key tools firefighters use to reduce the size, intensity and impact of bushfires.
“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,” Mr Kennedy said.
“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.”
This year, more than 100 planned burns across an area of 46,300 hectares are prepared and ready for ignition in north-east Victoria.
Priority burns are planned in state forest, parks and reserves around Marysville, Toolangi, Kinglake, Glenburn, Woods Point, Tatong, Howqua, Bright, Beechworth, Yackandandah, Mitta Mitta, Koetong and Tallangatta Valley.
“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,” Mr Kennedy said.
FFMVic works with the Bureau of Meteorology to assess weather conditions, such as humidity, temperature and wind speed to decide whether planned burns are safe to complete.
“The seasonal outlook shows a higher chance of warmer maximum temperatures into early autumn, which may delay the start of planned burning in some parts of the state,” FFMVic chief fire officer Chris Hardman said.
“It also raises opportunities for planned burning targeting areas that are not usually available under autumn conditions.”
Register for the latest updates about where and when FFMVic deliver planned burning at plannedburns.ffm.vic.gov.au
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