Preparation steps up in Otway District for bushfire season

FOREST Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic) is continuing work to prepare the Otway District for the coming bushfire season, building on fuel management works conducted throughout the year to reduce bushfire risk for communities and the environment.

Since mid-last year, planned burning by FFMVic in the Otway District has covered more than 1,000 hectares, with crews taking every opportunity to conduct burns when conditions allow and it is safe to do so.

This included planned burning to reduce bushfire risk around Great Ocean Road towns, with the highest-priority burns conducted near Anglesea
and Forrest.

Crews also used heavy machinery to mulch flammable vegetation to reduce fuel near Bellarine, Otway and Great Ocean Road towns.

FFMVic Otway District manager David Roberts said fire lookout observers would also be stationed at local fire towers in the coming weeks.

“We are well-resourced and well-prepared for bushfire season and are continuing to build on our year-round program of works to reduce bushfire risk for communities and the environment.

Teams of emergency specialists will be on standby for the Colac and Geelong Incident Control Centres from as early as next month, ensuring FFMVic and partner agencies are ready to respond to emergencies 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“Fire preparedness is a shared responsibility and that’s why we’re also working with the CFA and communities to help residents understand the actions they can take to reduce their own bushfire risk.”

FFMVic has recruited additional seasonal firefighters in the Otway District, with 52 project firefighters to be in place across the district by the end of November.

All FFMVic crews are adhering to appropriate public health and hygiene guidelines to ensure operations can safely continue across the state.