AUTUMN BURNS PLANNED FOR OTWAYS
THE Otways is set to burn this autumn as authorities try to reduce fuel loads.
Forecast average rainfall and mild temperatures over the next few months are expected to provide favourable conditions to safely conduct planned burning, Forest Fire Management Victoria says.
If conditions are favourable, the autumn program will begin with several planned burns in grasslands near Colac, Cressy and Camperdown.
Larger planned burns of up to 1900 hectares in size will be conducted later in autumn in bushland behind Lorne.
The autumn program will also focus on reducing fuel loads around Great Ocean Road townships including Aireys Inlet and Anglesea.
Further planned burning is scheduled for inland areas, with the largest individual planned burn near Forrest at 1600 hectares in size.
FFMVic Otway district manager David Roberts said the current weather outlook is favourable for planned burning from late February through to the end of April.
“The eastern Otways continues to be our priority for planned burning due to the high density of coastal townships surrounded by dense bushland,” he said.
“Reducing fuel loads means bushfires are less intense, making it more likely that firefighters can contain them before they impact on people, property and the environment.”
For large planned burns to be conducted safely, crews will use aircraft including helicopters for aerial ignition, water bombing and observation.