The City of Launceston expects to begin its annual fuel reduction burn program from Monday, March 15.
Fuel reduction burns will be carried out only when weather conditions are favourable, with the program expected to continue until about May.
The Council uses a range of vegetation management programs to minimise bushfire risk, including fuel reduction burns.
The aim of the annual fuel reduction program is to reduce existing fire hazards, to protect property and other assets, and to assist in the regeneration of degraded bushland.
This year, the program will include fuel reduction burns at:
Cataract Gorge Reserve (Quarry Road)
Cataract Gorge Reserve
Carr Villa Flora Reserve Memorial park
Granville Street Reserve
Havelock Street Reserve
Russell Plains (Launceston Waste Centre)
Russell Plains Woods Reserve
Youngtown Regional Park
In total, nine fuel reduction burns have been planned at locations across the municipal area.
Detailed operational plans have been prepared for each burn, including smoke and dispersion modelling and risk assessments.
Each burn will take approximately one day to complete. While fire intensity is expected to be low, burns may generate flames, smoke and ash which may persist until the next rainfall event.
People with medical conditions are advised to have a personal plan for avoiding smoke from the burn.
Advice is available from the Department of Health and Human Services website or Asthma Australia website.
Notifications of scheduled burns will be updated on the Council's website and Tasmania Fire Service website.
