Released 21/10/2016
Cutting back rapid grass and weed growth resulting from this year’s wet winter and spring will be the focus of the ACT‘s Bushfire Operations Plan, Manager, Fire Forests and Roads, Neil Cooper, said today.
The Environment Planning Directorate’s annual Bushfire Operations Plan (BOP) contains a number of methods to reduce fuel hazard including prescribed burns, strategic grazing across the outer edge of residential areas, slashing, removal of potential fire fuel and trail maintenance.
“Fire managers in the ACT Parks and Conservation Service (PCS) have been involved at the national level within the Bushfire and Natural Hazards Cooperative Research Centre to better understand the seasonal outlook and have modified the BOP to incorporate and respond to how fire risk may eventuate,” Mr Cooper said.
“With the seasonal summer forecast for warm and wetter than normal weather, our plan takes into account increased grass growth and consideration that it may take a long time to dry off. However, once it does dry off, Canberrans need to be aware of the increase in fire potential.
“As a result, the 2016/17 BOP has a strong focus on the establishment of additional slashing contracts and increased grazing to reduce fuels which are still green. Some activities are also scheduled to occur later in response to the current wet conditions.”
This year’s plan contains:
- 25 prescribed burns covering 7892 hectares
- 6041 hectares of strategic grazing across the outer edge of residential areas
- 4733 hectares of slashing in urban areas
- 549 hectares of physical removal of fire fuels.
Mr Cooper said important research and development work and significant and ongoing skills maintenance through training also form a significant part of the BOP.
“Continual development of things like the national guidelines for erosion and sedimentation management in bushfire prone areas, the management of our fire equipment database and the delivery of an extensive fire training calendar ensure that the BOP is up-to-date and effective,” Mr Cooper said.
The BOP also contains plans for a number of ‘cultural burns’ to be implemented as part of the ACT PCS Indigenous Fire Management Framework.
Developed by the ACT PCS Murumbung Rangers, in conjunction with local Traditional Custodians, the framework includes guidelines for cultural burning practices and the involvement of the local Aboriginal community in cultural and ecological burns.
“There is growing recognition that cultural burning regimes have a vital role in fire management and that traditional Aboriginal fire management practices are still ecologically relevant today,” Mr Cooper said.
“While the primary purpose of these burns is cultural connection, they also play a part in the renewal of native vegetation, safeguarding culturally significant sites, reducing hazards, and maintaining water catchments.
“To assist in completing the BOP, PCS has just increased its capability with the arrival of the first of three new fire units which will greatly increase and support our ability to implement prescribed burns and fight fires.
“The new ‘G’ wagons can hold more water and are much safer than older models with external strengthening that protects the fire fighters from falling trees. The introduction of the Mercedes built units brings PCS in line with other land management agencies across Australia,” Mr Cooper said..
The annual BOP is prepared each year by PCS in consultation with the ACT Rural Fire Service, the ACT Bush Fire Council and the ACT Emergency Services Agency.
The BOP is now available at www.environment.act.gov.au
- Statement ends -
ACT Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate | Media Releases
Media Contacts
| Name | Phone | Mobile | |
|---|---|---|---|
Tony Mollett |
(02) 6205 7985 |
0401 766 218 |
«ACT Government Media Releases | «Directorate Media Releases