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Forest Fire Management Victoria has been busy for weeks.
FFMVic Grampians Regional Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Grant Allan said the Bureau of Meteorology had forecast a longer, drier summer for Victoria, with an ‘El Nino - Watch’ in the current outlook.
“In response to this outlook, we have brought forward several preparedness activities, including our planned burn and slashing program,” he said.
“The program creates fuel breaks, referred to as Asset Protection Zones, between public forest and private property to provide a permanent reduced fuel area.
“This allows for greater defendable spaces for these communities in the event of a significant bushfire.
“In addition, FFMVs seasonal contracted firefighters have been brought on four weeks earlier than previous years.
“This increased capability and capacity will assist crews with work ahead of the fire season, including spring planned burns, slashing, mulching and preparatory works.”
Liaison with the CFA and SES on response plans and personnel rosters is up to date, Incident Control Centre auditing and joint exercises have been completed, airbases, helipads and fire lookouts are ready, all equipment and plant including tankers, dozers and radios have been checked and tested, and there have also been strategic road and firebreak network checks to ensure they are open and useable.
The Wimmera District Level three pre-season briefing will be on October 16.
Planned burning to reduce risk was completed in the Grampians and Little Desert National Parks near Dimboola in late winter and early spring, but further opportunities could be limited from now due to the expected early fire season start. Slashing and mulching of blocks close to towns, on forest boundaries and along strategic roadsides will now be the focus.
Residual risk in the South-West Bushfire Risk Landscape (SWBRL) is at 55 per cent – a slight increase from the last year, but below the 80 per cent target. The SWBRL extends south to Heywood and Portland, which are not within Forest Fire Management Victoria’s Wimmera District, but which contribute to the bushfire risk.
Burns and other works are planned in 2018-19 to protect communities including Edenhope, Harrow, Ararat, Stawell, Dunkeld, Halls Gap and Pomonal.
Wimmera District could see five extra Project Fire Fighters this season; potentially two at Halls Gap, two at Horsham and one at Cavendish, with training and accreditation of new PFFs in late October.
For more information on planned burns go to www.ffm.vic.gov.au/ or for fire or preparation details go to www.cfa.vic.gov.au
