An increase in unauthorised fires has prompted Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic) to remind people that lighting a fire on public land to reduce bushfire fuel is illegal and poses a significant risk to the community and the environment.
District Manager of Murray Goldfields for FFMVic, Adrian Parker said crews had responded to three fires in the past six weeks in Central Victoria that were ignited by residents attempting to burn leaves and other debris on public land adjoining their properties.
“Unfortunately, all three fires were left unattended and escaped, with nearby residents having to call 000, causing FFMVic crews to be deployed to extinguish the blazes, taking them away from other critical summer preparedness activities,” Mr Parker said.
“These incidents are preventable and place firefighters, residents, the environment and surrounding communities to unnecessary risk.”
Mr Parker said residents were never permitted to conduct burning or slashing activities on public land, including river frontages or empty blocks near their home to improve their view.
The District Manager said FFMVic and the Country Fire Authority (CFA) regularly updated and prepared a three-year Joint Fuel Management Plan which set out actions the Services would conduct to reduce the bushfire risk to communities and the environment.
“Working with local communities is a key part of this to make sure everyone has their say about where and when planned burning should occur to reduce bushfire risk on both public and private land,” Mr Parker said.
The latest information on FFMVic and CFA’s Joint Fuel Management Plan can be accessed at this PS News link.
