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Easter Smoke Alert As Fuel Reduction Burning Ramps Up

The Department of Sustainability and Environment today said it was preparing for a busy period of fuel reduction burning during the next week which could result in significant smoke haze in Melbourne and throughout Victoria.

By DSE - 18th April 2006 - Back to News

DSE Chief Officer for Fire and Emergency Management Ewan Waller said conditions had been exceptionally dry this autumn and the Department needed to take advantage of recent rain to make significant inroads into its burning targets.

"Fuel reduction burning is one of the primary strategies employed to reduce the dangers of wildfire." Mr Waller said.

"It will inevitably result in some smoke over the next few days and during the Easter Weekend but it’s a top priority and its importance cannot be underestimated."

Nearly 50 burns are planned for today alone (April 12).

Mr Waller said Victoria had once again been reminded this summer of Victoria’s susceptibility to wildfire and the need to reduce fuel loads in the bush.

"When a fire burns through an area that has been fuel reduced it slows down, making it easier to control. This reduces the risk to nearby communities, their homes and their property," he said.

"We need to make a choice between burns we can control now, or more frequent and damaging wildfires in the future.

"Fuel reduction burning is necessary for the long term health of the bush and the safety of communities. It is a vital tool in reducing the severity of bushfires," Mr Waller said.

DSE has set a target of burning more than 130,000 hectares before the end of the financial year.

Ignited and authorised burns for April 12, 2006

Gippsland: 17 Burns

North East Victoria: 22 Burns

North West Victoria: 5 Burns

Port Phillip: 4 Burns

For more information on fuel reduction burns or fires in your area, please call the Victorian Bushfire Information Line on 1800 240 667 (free call), visit DSE’s website: www.dse.vic.gov.au/fires or contact your nearest DSE or Parks Victoria office.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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