Controlled burns are planned for Otways

FIRE authorities are planning a series of controlled autumn burns in the Otways to reduce the future fire risk for Lorne and surrounding communities.

It is hoped the burns will give authorities a head start on containing fuel loads ahead of the next bushfire season.

The state’s extensive fleet of firefighting craft will be used for the program, with helicopters expected to ignite, monitor and waterbomb the burns.

More than 160 firefighters from Gellibrand and Anglesea will be briefed on Forest Fire Management Victoria’s (FFMVic) plans to reduce fire risk to the community and environment later this week.

FFMVic Otway district manager David Rourke said several small burns directly behind the Lorne township will be completed.

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

“Our crews will then be able to undertake more significant burns behind Lorne, the largest of which will be around 1600 hectares in size. These burns are scheduled for later in Autumn, and will drastically reduce Lorne’s bushfire risk.”

The autumn program will also focus on reducing risk around Aireys Inlet and Anglesea which face significant fire danger during the summer months. The Otways region has experienced a number of devastating bushfires in the past, with 173 people losing their lives in the 2009 Black Saturday fires.

FFMVic has committed to working closely with the Bureau of Meteorology to monitor the safety of weather conditions during the planned burns.

“You may see and smell smoke from these planned burns, and some roads and parks may close,” Mr Rourke said.

For information about planned burns happening near you, download the Vic Emergency app or call 1800 226 226.