Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic) and partners in the Country Fire Authority (CFA), Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) and local government have been busy preparing for the upcoming bushfire season.
The Bureau of Meteorology has declared a combined El Niño and positive Indian Ocean Dipole climate pattern. These conditions mean a drier and warmer Spring, an earlier arrival of high-risk bushfire weather and a prolonged fire season compared to recent years.
To reduce bushfire risk, authorities undertake planned burning and mechanical works like mowing and mulching, remove hazardous trees and maintain strategic fuel breaks.
Planned burning occurs all year round when it is safe to do. In the coming weeks, planned burns will continue at key sites across the Otways, the Great Ocean Road and in the Far South West.
People may see smoke, firefighting vehicles, aircraft, and crews in the area, these are a normal part of planned burns.
These burns build on the 3869 hectares of planned burns completed across the Barwon South West in 2022/2023. This work has reduced the region’s residual risk below the target of 60 percent of maximum levels.
Maintenance of an expanded network of strategic fuel breaks is also underway, with crews slashing and mulching these critical assets.
Strategic fuel breaks are a modified corridor of vegetation that support safer back-burning during fire response and planned burns.
They are in locations that help firefighters defend private property, significant transport routes and critical community assets like water and power supplies from the impact of bushfires.
“FFMVic and our emergency services partners are well prepared for a potential earlier start to the bushfire season – we work every day to reduce bushfire risk to communities,” FFMVic deputy chief fire officer David Rourke said.
“Year-round, we are focused on actions with the greatest impact to minimise bushfire risk for communities and the environment, including planned burning, slashing and maintenance of strategic fuel break networks.”
“The community has an important role to play as well, which is why we’re reminding everyone to understand their local risks, stay informed and take action now to prepare themselves and their properties.”
Authorities are also reminding the community that fire safety is a shared responsibility between fire services and all Victorians. Understanding local risks, staying informed and acting now to prepare properties are key steps in remaining safe throughout the summer season.
National parks and state forests will be closed on Catastrophic fire danger days during Summer and may be closed on other days when the risk to life is considered unacceptable. Visitors should check local weather conditions before travelling into forested areas.
Campers are also reminded to stay alert and follow campfire safety rules. Never leave a campfire unattended and always use water to put campfires out until they are cool to touch.
To find out when and where planned burns are happening near you sign up at plannedburns.ffm.vic.gov.au or download the VicEmergency App.
For more information on preparing your property go to cfa.vic.gov.au/plan-prepare/how-to-prepare-your-property
For safety tips on campfires visit parks.vic.gov.au/get-into-nature/safety-in-nature/visitor-safety-tips-in-parks/campfires
