CFA VOLUNTEERS from six Mornington Peninsula brigades joined a candling operation at Arthurs Seat on 14 May as part of an ongoing statewide push to reduce bushfire risk ahead of the next fire season.
Members from Main Ridge, Red Hill, Flinders, Mt Martha, Rye and Balnarring Fire Brigades took part in the hazard reduction burn along Pindara Rd, working alongside Mornington Peninsula Shire to reduce fire risk around Arthurs Seat and neighbouring residences and businesses.
CFA planned burn operations officer, Graeme Briggs, and CFA commander, Nick Bryant, said the operation demonstrated the value of collaboration between CFA and local government.
“It has been a working example of interoperability and collaboration between CFA and local government,” said Bryant.
“We are very active in this space for community safety and fire prevention.”
CFA District 8 vegetation management officer, Heath Bunting, said candling operations are used to remove excessive stringy bark fuel loads from trees.
“Through these practices, the tree itself burns the stringy bark off and collapses onto the ground, removing the fuel load from the tree,” said Bunting.
“Reducing fuel decreases the impact of bushfires by lowering its intensity and devastating effects. Lower intensity also makes it easier for firefighters to control a bushfire.”
Since June 2025, CFA has completed 170 burning operations across 2,876 hectares statewide, exceeding planned burning and fuel treatment targets for the past two years.
CFA deputy chief officer Alen Slijepcevic said strategic burns have proven their value in recent fire seasons.
“Our strategic burns have allowed CFA firefighters to contain pockets of a fire at the roadside instead of having the fire jump a road and continue to spread to adjoining properties,” said Slijepcevic.
“We saw this throughout the bushfires in 2024-25 in the Cavendish area.”
Since 9 March 2026, more than 29,600 private burn-offs have been registered as landowners prepare for next season. The CFA also delivers non-burning fuel reduction activities including grass slashing and mulching where appropriate.
First published in the Mornington News – 26 May 2026
