With the days getting cooler, our fire management focus turns to planned burns and the start of the autumn fuel reduction program.
Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service (PWS), Sustainable Timber Tasmania and Tasmania Fire Service work together to deliver the Fuel Reduction Program across the state.
The program undertakes bushfire risk treatments across both public and private land and focuses on areas that pose the greatest risk of bushfire.
PWS State Fire Manager Katy Edwards said there were 25 fuel reduction burns planned across reserve land this season. Two burns have already been undertaken in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, treating about 1,200 hectares.
“Our fuel reduction burns aim to minimise the intensity of bushfires and help protect communities, as well as conserve natural environments dependent on fire for regeneration and protect areas vulnerable to the impacts of bushfires,” she said.
“The risk of bushfires cannot be eliminated but their impacts can be reduced by effective planning and bushfire management. The fuel reduction program plays an important part in that management.
“We also consult with experts about the best way to minimise the impacts of fire and smoke on sensitive and significant sites and industries.”
Generally, early autumn is the best time to undertake fuel reduction burning. Conditions are more stable and predictable, fuels are dry enough to burn well, and the warmth and length of the day promotes good atmospheric conditions for the smoke plume to rise off the ground, disperse at height and be carried away.
PWS fire crews closely monitor conditions throughout the planning process, and if conditions are not optimal on the day of the burn it will be postponed until they are favourable.
Tasmania has been fortunate to experience three mild fire seasons in a row due to wet La Nina weather conditions. However, according to the Bureau of Meteorology this is expected to change with drier El Nino conditions predicted for the coming summer.
Preparing for these changing conditions now is critical for managing our future bushfire risk.