Over the winter months, planning continues for next year’s program, with the three-year draft Fire Operations Plan made available to the public for viewing and comment at DSE and Parks Victoria offices across the region from Monday, August 2 until Friday, August 27, 2010.

Fire Prevention Coordinator, Alison Kerr said this is an opportunity to find out what fire prevention works, asset protection and ecological burns are planned for public land, parks, forests and reserves in your neighbourhood.

“We want everyone to have a chance to hear about and understand our plans, so we’re running community information sessions in a number of locations across the region at times when most people are available,” she said.

Community information sessions will be held in each of the East Gippsland fire districts (Heyfield, Bairnsdale, Swifts Creek and Orbost) during August. Details will be published soon in local papers, or contact your nearest DSE office.

DSE and Parks Victoria staff will be available at each session to discuss DSE’s Fire Operations Plans and burns planned for your area.

“We value and welcome local knowledge and input from as many people as possible to help formulate the new plan for future burns,” Ms Kerr said.

“We are particularly interested in comments or feedback on specific burns or specific locations - is there an area of public land near you that you would like to discuss with DSE in relation to planned burning?”

Ms Kerr said that while it’s vital planned burning is done for the protection of the whole community, DSE is aware that there are impacts on local communities and local industries, including smoke and temporary road or park closures.

“That’s why we want to sit down with people and show them our draft three year rolling plans for the East Gippsland fire area, so we can work together with the community.”