PLANNED BURNING PROGRAM RAMPS UP IN MIDLANDS DISTRICT

– DELWP

Planned burning to reduce the risk of bushfire to the community and environment will ramp up in the Midlands District in the coming days as weather and conditions become optimal.

Planned burning is a key part of Forest Fire Management Victoria’s (FFMVic) bushfire preparedness and risk management strategy to protect communities, property, and the environment.

FFMVic crews conduct planned burns year-round when conditions allow, and it is safe to do so.

In the coming months burns in the Midlands district will be focussed in areas around Daylesford, Blackwood, Beaufort, Ballarat, Smythesdale and Enfield.

FFMVic Deputy Chief Fire Officer Tony English said FFMVic conducts planned burns based on conditions rather than seasons, which means planned burns can be carried out at any stage throughout the year.

“As long as the conditions allow and it is safe to do so, we will carry out as many of our high priority burns in bushfire prone areas as we can.

“We conduct asset protection burns to reduce fire risk near communities, public infrastructure and assets like water catchments, and ecological burns to help protect our environment and allow flora to regenerate.”

FFMVic partners with Traditional Owners so fire can be used in a way that supports Cultural and land management aspirations including management of food, medicines, flora, fauna and habitat protection and regeneration, and to heal Country’s spirit.

FFMVic works closely with the Bureau of Meteorology to forecast weather conditions – such as humidity, temperature, smoke dispersion, rain and wind – and will only carry out burns when conditions are suitable on the day and days proceeding.

As well as burning FFMVic crews conduct mechanical fuel reduction works such as mowing, slashing, clearing, mulching, spraying and creating and maintaining strategic fuel breaks.

To find out when and where planned burns are happening near you go to www.vic.gov.au/plannedburns, Planned Burns Victoria website or call the VicEmergency hotline at 1800 226 226.   

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