Planned burning is a key part of Forest Fire Management Victoria's (FFMVic) bushfire preparedness and strategic fuel management approach.
The program is underpinned by scientific evidence, local knowledge, and continuous improvement to make sure efforts are focused where they can be most effective.
FFMVic Loddon Mallee Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Scott Falconer said in the coming months, planned burning would take place across Central Victoria, with major asset protection burns near Macedon, Castlemaine, Heathcote, St Arnaud and Bendigo. We will also be conducting ecological burns in Terrick Terrick National Park.
"Our strategic fuel management approach gives our firefighters a better chance of controlling fires when they do occur – reducing impacts on people, property and the environment," Deputy Chief Falconer said.
"As long as the conditions allow and it is safe to do so, we will carry out as many of our high priority burns in bushfire prone areas as we can.
'We will conduct asset protection burns to reduce fire risk near communities, ecological burns to help protect our environment and allow rare and often protected flora to regenerate, and support cultural burns led by Traditional Owners."
FFMVic partners with Traditional Owners so fire can be used in a way that supports Cultural land management aspirations including management of food, medicines, flora, fauna and habitat protection and regeneration, and to heal Country's spirit.
"We will be supporting Barapa Barapa Land and Waters, Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation, Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation and Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation to conduct cultural burns throughout Central Victoria in the coming months," Deputy Chief Falconer said.
FFMVic works closely with the Bureau of Meteorology to assess weather conditions – such as humidity, temperature and wind speed – and will only carry out burns when conditions are right.
As well as burning FFMVic crews conduct mechanical fuel reduction works such as mowing, slashing, clearing, and creating and maintaining strategic fuel breaks.
"I thank our regional communities for their support while our crews carry out this important fuel reduction work to protect life, property and the environment," Deputy Chief Falconer said.
To keep up to date with planned burns happening near you, go to or sign up to www.vic.gov.au/plannedburns
