Ready to ignite: autumn planned burns coming to Otways

FOREST Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic) is preparing to start an extensive planned burning program in the Otway District in the coming weeks.

More than 160 firefighters will attend preseason briefings at Anglesea and Gellibrand on Wednesday (last night) and Thursday (today), to be briefed on plans to reduce bushfire risk for local communities and the environment.

Otway district manager David Rourke said they were expecting to start the program with a small grassland burn at Lake Beeac near Colac, and several burns right behind the township of Lorne.

“The burns at Lorne, which are up to 50 hectares in size, will provide protection for streets that are in close proximity to bushland.

“Our crews will then be able to undertake more significant burns behind Lorne, the largest of which will be around 1,600 hectares in size.

“These burns are scheduled for later in autumn, and will drastically reduce Lorne’s bushfire risk.”

He said the autumn program would also focus on reducing bushfire fuel around the Great Ocean Road townships of Aireys Inlet and Anglesea.

“Further planned burns are scheduled for the inland areas of Pennyroyal, Forrest and Gellibrand.

“To carry out planned burns safely, our crews will use a significant amount of aircraft this year.

“Helicopters will undertake aerial ignition, water bombing and observation, as we make use of the state’s fleet of firefighting aircraft.

“We work closely with the Bureau of Meteorology to assess weather conditions, such as humidity, temperature and wind speed, and will only carry out burns when conditions are suitable.”

He said people may see and smell smoke from the planned burns, and some roads and parks may close.

“We understand that smoke from planned burns may cause concern for some people, but it’s important that our crews take every opportunity while conditions are right to reduce bushfire risk.”

FFMVic is working with local communities to ensure residents and visitors are informed about the upcoming planned burning program.

For the latest information about when planned burns are happening near you, head to ffm.vic.gov.au/plannedburn, download the Vic Emergency app or phone the VicEmergency hotline on 1800 226 226.