Planned burning - an introduction
 Fact sheet - planned burning (PDF - 438 KB)Why do we carry out planned burns? During an average summer, around six hundred bushfires occur on public land across Victoria, including national parks, state forests, state parks and reserves. Intense bushfires have huge impacts on communities across Victoria, both in the areas directly impacted by fire and in other parts of the state, including metropolitan Melbourne. An intense bushfire across the landscape can also be devastating to the environment, including its plant and animals. To better manage the risk of bushfire to communities and our environment, the Victorian Government, through the Department of Sustainability and Environment and Parks Victoria, carries out fire prevention activities that help reduce the occurrence and impact of devastating fires such as those experienced in recent summers. Fuel reduction burning manages the amount of fuel by removing some of the materials that can burn such as leaves, twigs, branches and bark. This can reduce the severity of a bushfire. It is important to understand that planned burning operations, particularly fuel reduction burns, do not stop or eliminate the risk of bushfires. However, Victorian research, and similar information from Australia and overseas, clearly shows that firefighters have a much better chance of controlling bushfires in areas where fuel reduction burns have been carried out. Fuel reduction burning is risk reduction, not risk elimination. When are burns carried out? Planned burns are usually carried out in Autumn or Spring when the weather is milder and fire behaviour is easier to predict and manage. The actual ignition of burns depends on a combination of factors including suitability of weather conditions, available resources, fuel moisture and other 'prescribed' conditions. There are only a limited number of days each season that are suitable and DSE must make use of every opportunity. In some locations, there may be only a few suitable days each burn season. While Spring and Autumn burns are planned ahead and annual planned burn targets are set, not all burns can be carried out. Long periods of abnormally dry weather conditions, in conjunction with low soil moisture, can create the possibility of extreme fire conditions and behaviour, causing burns to be delayed. Some burns may even be delayed until later burn seasons. page top How can I find out when a burn will be ignited? Check for upcoming planned burns that are due to be ignited, or check for burns that have already been ignited, by visiting Burns Today. Listen to your local ABC or commercial radio station for updates about burns in your area. You can also keep track of the progress of the planned burning program throughout the year by visiting Burns this Season. What about smoke? Smoke is an unavoidable consequence of planned burns. Although this smoke is usually less than smoke from more intense bushfires, it can still impact you and your family. Wherever possible, DSE will inform communities about significant smoke and when it is likely to clear. Remember that children, the elderly, smokers and people with pre-existing heart or lung conditions, including asthma, are more sensitive to smoke. If affected by smoke delay vigorous exercise, remain inside if possible, keep windows closed and stay informed. The Department of Human Services advises that people with pre-existing heart or lung conditions should take their medication as prescribed. In particular, people with asthma should follow their asthma management program. If you are experiencing any symptoms that may be due to smoke exposure, seek medical advice or call NURSE-ON-CALL on 1300 60 60 24. For general information about how smoke from fires potentially affects health, and precautions to take to reduce exposure, visit the DHS website at www.dhs.vic.gov.au For more information about asthma management in smoky conditions visit The Asthma Foundation of Victoria website at www.asthma.org.au How are burns planned? Each DSE fire district prepares an annual Fire Operations Plan which details proposed fire-related works such as planned burning for the next three years. These plans are developed in conjunction with the community. You are invited to have your say about these draft plans during the annual consultation process. Victorian Overview to Fire Operations Planning 2009-12 (PDF - 900 KB)All planned burning activities are based on knowledge gained from scientific research and past field experience. The DSE publication 'Synopsis of the Knowledge Used in Prescribed Burning in Victoria' provides an overview of the current state of this knowledge. Other DSE research publications relating to planned burns are also available on line. Please note: Document(s) on this page are presented in PDF format. If you do not have the Adobe Reader, you can download a copy free from the Adobe web site. |   |
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