Strategic fuel breaks are corridors where vegetation and fuels are significantly reduced to create a safer area for firefighters to respond to fires and conduct planned burning.
They are usually associated with existing forest roads and have had hazardous trees removed.
"Strategic fuel breaks protect our firefighters from dangerous radiant heat and hazardous trees, so it’s safer and faster for them to respond to bushfires threatening communities,” Hume deputy chief fire officer Aaron Kennedy said.
During the past 12 months, 135km of works have been completed across the region, mostly in the Upper Murray Fire District.
“Breaks are built in places, which we know from experience, provide firefighters with access and options to back-burn to keep communities safe,” Mr Kennedy said.
“They also support other work such as planned burning, by providing safe and easy access to high fire risk areas.”
Works to strengthen existing strategic breaks across the region are planned to continue this month.
This includes forest areas in the Buckland Valley, Dartmouth and Harrietville.
Traffic control and road closures will be in place while the works are completed.
The project is part of the Victorian Government’s Safer Together initiative and is being delivered by FFMVic in partnership with Traditional Owners, CFA, local government and Parks Victoria.
For more information, visit: https://www.ffm.vic.gov.au/bushfire-fuel-and-risk-management/strategic-fuel-breaks-program
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