Planned burns will ramp up

With milder autumn conditions, planned burning operations are set to reamp up this month.

March and April usually have the most stable weather for planned burns, however wet weather caused by changing weather patterns have caused higher forest moisture levels and lower temperatures, creating more opportunities for planned burning throughout the year.

There are approximately 1400 burns planned for the next three years – with the majority to occur over the next two months – to reduce fuel loads and to maintain, regenerate and increase plant species diversity.

When crews are unable to do planned burns, they use other treatments like clearing, mowing, mulching, slashing and strategic fuel breaks, which make it easier, faster and safer for firefighters to access and suppress fires.

More than 470 burns were completed in the 2020-21 financial year, covering more than 133,000 hectares of public land.

The annual joint fuel management program, developed by Forest Fire Management Victoria, the Country Fire Authority and local communities, provides a bushfire risk management approach for public and private land.

Energy, Environment and Climate Change Minister Lily D'Ambrosio said planned burns needed to be undertaken when conditions were right to reduce the risk of fighting larger bushfires later.

"It's crucial we are prepared for bushfires especially as their frequency and severity increases due to climate change.

"Investing in risk reduction strategies like planned burns is vital to protect property and our precious environment," she said.

To find out when and where planned burns are happening, sign up to vic.gov.au/plannedburns, download the VicEmergency app or call the VicEmergency hotline at 1800 226 226.