Planned burns ahead

 Forest Fire Management Victoria and the CFA have started planned burning across Victoria to reduce bushfire risk before summer.

Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic) chief fire officer Chris Hardman said they were focused on high-risk communities.

“Planned burns throughout spring will be small, discrete operations that can be undertaken in a one or two-day period, rather than larger burns over a longer period of time,” he said

“You may see and smell smoke from these planned burns, and some roads and parks may close.”

Mr Hardman said underlying dryness across the state and the potential for an early fire season would limit burning opportunities.

“We will be working closely with the Bureau of Meteorology to assess weather conditions, such as humidity, temperature and wind speed, and will only carry out burns when the conditions are suitable,” he said.

“Working with CFA is a vital part of our planned burning program, ensuring that we are using local knowledge to manage bushfire risk together.”

Visit www.ffm.vic.gov.au/plannedburn or call 1800 226 226 for information about planned burns.