PRIVATE, agricultural and planned burns are likely to take place on the Mornington Peninsula and across Victoria in the coming weeks. While current conditions are considered ideal for burning, weather patterns may cause smoke to linger over parts of the state overnight and through to early morning.
Forest Fire Management Victoria chief fire officer Chris Hardman said it was crucial fire agencies took advantage of favourable conditions when they presented. “Planned burning on public land is one of the tools FFMVic uses to keep Victoria safer from bushfires,” Hardman said. “While we burn to the conditions not the calendar, autumn generally gives our crews more opportunities to conduct planned burns as the weather is more stable and fire behaviour is manageable and generally predictable. “With the current favourable weather and forest conditions, we are dedicating all available resources to deliver planned burning. “Reducing fine fuels such as grass, leaves, bark, shrubs and fallen branches means fires are less intense and slower to spread, making it more likely that firefighters can keep bushfires small and contained before they pose a risk to communities.”
Hardman said FFMVic worked closely with and used information from the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and weather bureau to keep the smoke impact from planned burns as low as practically possible and inform the community while delivering the program. “Victorians can also sign up for planned burn notifications to prepare for any impact on their health or activities,” he said.
CFA chief officer Jason Heffernan urged the public to research and understand permit requirements before conducting private burn-offs. “While the fire danger period has ended in a few areas, it remains in place across the majority of Victoria,” he said. “It’s your responsibility to know what restrictions are in place so, if you’re in doubt, you can find out what you can and can’t do during a fire danger period by referring to the Can I or Can’t I? page of the CFA website. “We have seen a number of private burns escape over recent weeks so if you do intend to conduct a planned burn you will need to apply for a permit and ensure that all burning activities comply with the permit prescriptions and requirements.”
Victoria’s chief environmental scientist Professor Mark Patrick Taylor said the EPA understood that smoke from any source, including planned burns and private burn-offs, could cause health concerns. “Be prepared by watching for FFMVic planned burn notifications and by checking the air quality for your area through our EPA’s AirWatch air monitoring system,” Taylor said. “Your nose is also an excellent smoke detector. If you can smell smoke, take the necessary precautions to protect your health.”
For the latest information about when and where planned burns are happening near you, visit plannedburns.ffm.vic.gov.au.
Detailed information about current air quality throughout Victoria can be found on the EPA’s website.
If you see or smell smoke outside, you should reduce your exposure to it by staying indoors and closing windows and doors – but only if safe to do so. Tips for looking after your health when there is smoke can be found on EPA’s Smoke and your health webpage – www.epa.vic.gov.au/for-community/environmental-information/air-quality/smoke/smoke-your-health.
Keep a burn off safe and legal check local fire restrictions and always register the burn at firepermits.vic.gov.au or by calling 1800 668 511. If a burn-off gets out of control, call 000 immediately.
First published in the Mornington News – 9th April 2024
