General News
24 November, 2022
Community effort needed to reduce bushfire risk
Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic) is urging local communities to get onboard with bushfire risk reduction practices heading into summer. FFMVic will soon be slashing around 2000 hectares of grass across Maryborough, Dunolly, Bealiba, Avoc...
Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic) is urging local communities to get onboard with bushfire risk reduction practices heading into summer.
FFMVic will soon be slashing around 2000 hectares of grass across Maryborough, Dunolly, Bealiba, Avoca, Tarnagulla, and other parts of central Victoria to reduce the risk of future grassfires.
FFMVic senior fuel management officer Jonathan Andrea said with higher than average rainfall and flooding during spring has led to an increase in grass growth.
“We carefully monitor weather conditions and will be initially targeting priority areas for slashing that will have the greatest impact on reducing future bushfire risk to communities and the environment,” he said.
“FFMVic have engaged additional contractors to assist with delivery of this fuel reduction work.”
Mr Andrea said while FFMVic will be out slashing, the responsibility of bushfire risk reduction is a whole-community effort.
“Reducing bushfire risk is a shared responsibility — private landowners, council and the Country Fire Authority (CFA) also play an important part in bushfire fuel reduction,” he said.
“Fuel reduction on public land can only do so much — communities and households need to know how to be prepared and take action to reduce their bushfire risk.
“Homeowners are encouraged to be prepared for grass and bushfires by cutting long grass regularly, removing leaves and twigs from the yard and clearing space around their house of all flammable materials.
“Due to the floods, there may be rapid regrowth this summer and certain areas may require follow-up treatment. If you have concerns about fire hazards on private land or local parks, contact your local council.”
For fire hazard concerns regarding national and state parks, state forests, reserves or unoccupied crown land, contact DELWP on 136 186.
For more information on how to prepare you property for bushfire, please visit:www.cfa.vic.gov.au/plan-prepare/before-and-during-a-fire/fire-ready-kit