Mild weather allows summer burn-off at Ocean Grove

MILD weather and low humidity have allowed a summertime burn-off to protect homes at Ocean Grove.
Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning’s David Rourke said Ocean Grove Nature Reserve’s vegetation was usually “difficult to burn and needed to be drier”.
Wednesday’s weather was “ideal” for reducing the park’s fire fuel in summer, he said.
“We only have a small window of opportunity to conduct our burns, so we’re balancing community expectations to get as much burning done as possible to reduce the risk of bushfires, with our preparedness and response to late-season bushfires.”
Mr Rourke said the burn covered 70 to 80 per cent of the 19.7-hectares targeted, “mainly acacia and sheoaks”.
“There are no other burns planned in the reserve this autumn. However, future burns will be part of a more-comprehensive plan for this important reserve.”
Seventy fire-fighters attended on Wednesday, with crews staying on site until today to ensure safety.
The department said the burn also had the added benefit of encouraging “species diversity” at the reserve, off Grubb Rd on Ocean Grove’s northern doorstep.
Mr Rourke said the department made “efforts to reduce the risk to native animals”.
“Because fire is applied in a planned way under specific weather conditions it moves more slowly. This gives birds and animals time to move into the treetops or underground, or to move away from the burn area.”