Fire chief defends burns along the coast

Jane Emerick
A fire chief has defended Surf Coast burnoffs against claims they damage the environment without reducing bushfire risk.
CFA regional operations manager Bob Barry said the fuelreduction burns were the best way of preventing bushfires.
“I don’t know why anyone would say that,” he said in response to criticism of the burnoffs in last week’s Independent.
“In terms of largescale projection, burning is the best way to remove fuel in mild conditions.”
“Burning is still our preferred method for managing fuel reduction and keeping homes safe from forest fires.”
Mr Barry said burning off forest debris had environmental benefits.
“In some areas it can actually assist revegetation,” he said.
Department of Sustainability and Environment has run burns from Lorne to Anglesea over the past fortnight. The burnoffs have covered 458 hectares along the coast, including parts of Anglesea Heath, with more on the way.
Department Otway district fire management officer Damian Kerr said crews halted the burning program this week amid warm weather and increased wind.
“We’ll continue to monitor last week’s fires in Lorne and Anglesea.
“They need to be monitored for about a week,” Mr Kerr said.
“As soon as weather permits we’ll continue with additional fires in Anglesea and Lorne as well as new fires at Airey’s Inlet, Lorne and Wye River.”
Geelong Environment Council’s Joan Lindros told last week’s Independent the burnoffs were a “knee jerk reaction” to bushfire threats.
Ms Lindros said the burns “won’t do anything to prevent bushfires”.
“There wasn’t any community consultation and burning off inprinciple isn’t something that actually works,” Ms Lindros said.
“If there was a big fire (burnoffs) wouldn’t stop it from spreading.
“It’s appalling, especially in Anglesea where rare, delicate species could be destroyed.”