Burning ambition for wildfire safety

ERIN PEARSON
ALMOST 60 hectares of Anglesea scrub has gone up in flames this month as part of an increased state spring burn-off program, according to Department of Sustainability and Environment.
Burns controller Stephanie Ryan said a 55-hectare burn at Anglesea scout camp and a three-hectare operation at Anglesea’s YMCA camp would help reduce wildfire risks to protect the town.
“Planned burning remains our best available means for reducing fuel loads,” she said.
“We’re increasing our planned burning program to help protect communities and the environment from damaging bushfires.”
Ms Ryan said wet weather prevented burning over winter.
“The bush is slowly drying out again, so we’re getting burning going. Every burn we do now means we’re better prepared for the coming fire season.”
But Geelong Environment Council president Joan Lindros critisised the timing.
Ms Lindros said spring burning was an “ecologically disastrous action”.
Autumn was the only suitable season for burning, she said.
“Spring burning was formerly considered ecologically unsuitable but, with the current ridiculously large areas now required to be burned, burning at any time is planned and done.
“The flowering plants have not set seed, the young birds are not developed adequately to survive a fire and the recently born small mammals have little defence against fire.”
The department said it planned further burns in coming weeks around Airey’s Inlet, Moggs Creek, Lorne and inland.
The Anglesea Golf Club area was “being discussed” for late October.