State expands fuel burn-off program

Alex de Vos
Authorities have announced an expanded program of controlled burning in bushland and private property around the Geelong region in the wake of Victoria’s Black Saturday fire disaster.
Department of Sustainability and Environment’s burn controller Andrew Morrow said “favourable” weather conditions had prompted authorities to launch a program of controlled burns in the Otways this week.
The department planned to burn 36 hectares of public land at Lorne and 24 hectares at Stoney Creek.
Mr Morrow said the department also planned to burn about 315 hectares near Barongarook, five kilometres south-east of Colac.
Mr Morrow said fire chiefs had “ramped up” this year’s fuel-reduction program.
“We’ve brought in additional crews for the autumn burning period and will step it up to ensure we make the most of the weather conditions,” he said.
“Our main priority is around coastal townships, with a strong focus on Airey’s Inlet to Anglesea.”
Mr Morrow urged residents to avoid exposure to smoke during the burning program.
“People in the area might experience smoke during the next 24 hours,” he warned.
State Environment Minister Gavin Jennings said the burning program would target strategic locations to protect towns and provide “ecological benefits and fuel reduction”.
The burns would continue as conditions allowed, he said.
“This has been a terrible fire season which has required a huge effort from our firefighters, so DSE and its partner agencies will be moving fire crews around the state to maximise fuel reduction and to ensure that firefighters are adequately rested,” Mr Jennings said.
Geelong Environment Council president Joan Lindros said she was “surprised” authorities had started controlled burning this early in the season.
“It’s extraordinary – everything is so dry,” Ms Lindros said.
The environment council has previously criticised controlled burning but Ms Lindros said she acknowledged “the importance of controlled burning to protect communities”.
However, she expressed concerns about proposed burns in old-growth forests and the impact on wildlife.
“Goodness knows how much wildlife will be killed – the fire will be so hot because everything is so dry,” she said.