Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic) is continuing to prepare Greater Melbourne for the upcoming bushfire season, building on fuel management works conducted throughout the year to reduce the bushfire risk to communities and the environment.
FFMVic has recruited additional seasonal firefighters, with approximately 227 fixed-term and permanent staff and 89 Incident Management team staff available and ready to respond to emergencies, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Fire lookout observers will be stationed at local fire towers with three firefighting aircraft located across the region complementing the state’s resources at Avalon, Essendon and Moorabbin airfields, which comprises of two large Air Tankers, one Chinook and one Ericson Aircrane.
Firefighters have been busy throughout the year carrying out storm response and recovery works and attending pre-season briefings.
This preparation builds on FFMVic’s bushfire risk management works throughout the year, which includes completing 3700-hectares of planned burning and mulching and slashing works and constructing 150km of strategic fuel breaks in the Upper Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges.
FFMVic’s Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Tamara Beckett, said that even with the La Nina weather pattern causing wetter conditions than usual this summer, it was important to stay prepared in order to protect communities.
“These works are critical to reduce the speed and intensity of potential bushfires and will also assist firefighters as they work to contain bushfires before they spread and impact on people, property and the environment,” Ms Beckett said.
“Due to the predicted cooler and wetter conditions this summer, communities may see our staff conducting burns during months that have historically been too hot and dry to do so.
“Planned burning is completely weather dependent, and it’s critical that we take every safe opportunity to burn while conditions are suitable, and it is safe to do so.
“Fire preparedness is a shared responsibility – and that’s why we’re also working with the CFA and communities to help residents understand the actions they can take to reduce their own bushfire risk,” she said.
All FFMVic crews are adhering to appropriate Covid restrictions and hygiene guidelines to ensure operations and training can safely continue across the state.
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 weather and forest conditions are suitable.
FFMVic engages and consults with industry stakeholders and considers their interests in the planning and delivery of bushfire risk reduction activities.
For more information on how FFMVic manages bushfire risk, visit ffm.vic.gov.au/bushfire-management-facts
