General News
26 February, 2025
Crucial CFA planned burns taking place this fire season
THERE is crucial work being carried out by the Country Fire Authority (CFA) during this fire season, but it may not be the type of firefighting work first coming to mind.
CFA’s planned burn crews have been completing work that allows for fires to be contained, saving properties and other loved assets.
Planned burning is used throughout the year to reduce fuel loads, promote the growth of native grasses, and create what is called a strategic break – a pocket of land that gets burned to create a barrier that slows down the spread of a bushfire.
Manager of community safety for the south west region James Haley has been responsible for overseeing planned burn teams respond to the recent fires in the state’s west and said they have had massive success.
“As a general rule of thumb, fire reaches about three times the height of the vegetation,” he said.
“A fire across native vegetation is going to be a lot more manageable than a fire that might grow to six meters in height through pasture grass which can be incredibly dangerous and hard to control.
“Planned burns create a separation between the bush and people’s properties, sometimes burning paddocks, sometimes burning around gardens – anything to create that space.
“What’s black doesn’t re-burn.
“All of this work is done with consultation and the consent of landowners.”
CFA’s planned burn taskforces are made up of a pool of volunteers around the state who make themselves available specifically for planned burning.
“They have good expertise in burnout operations,” Mr Haley said.
“We put out the request maybe 24 hours before – that we intend to undertake burns – and volunteers from all over the state drop everything to come and help.
“The value of these burns, particularly around homes, sheds, and other infrastructure, cannot be overstated.
“Multiple burns have already proven critical to fire suppression efforts.”
Mr Haley said teams work with the community when planning these burns and it is actually a great source of comfort for communities being threatened by fire.
“We’ve also seen a significant positive impact with many residents reaching out for asset protection support,” he said.
“We have received numerous expressions of gratitude from landowners and community members for the collective effort.
“It really creates community confidence, creating that space where they know it can’t burn again.
“These communities are under an extreme amount of stress and pressure, and to work with them, plan with them, and to see what they feel is important to protect, is pivotal.
“It is not just a case of CFA alone determining what can be burnt to protect homes and other assets.”
CFA works alongside Forest Fire Management Victoria to carry out planned burns.
Planned burning is conducted by CFA brigades on behalf of and at the request of private land owners or managers of other reserves such as roads, rail corridors, council reserves, and water authority land.
More information can be found about planned burns at https://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/about-us/what-we-do/planned-burns.
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