FFMVic is working with local communities to ensure residents and visitors are informed about the upcoming planned burning program set to start in early March. 

Gippsland’s Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Chris Stephenson said the autumn planned burning program will focus on reducing bushfire fuel around communities across the region and minimising the impacts of large scale bushfires in more remote areas.

“We will be starting the program with a combination of burns to reduce bushfire risk, high elevation regeneration burns and burns for ecological purposes,” Mr Stephenson said. 

“Planned regeneration burns take place each year and are important to promote the regeneration of native species in areas where timber harvesting has occurred.

“Gippsland communities may see and smell smoke, and some roads and parks may have to be closed for public safety while burns are being undertaken. 

“We aim to reduce the impact of smoke on communities from planned burning and continue to invest in new technologies and systems to help us better understand the dispersion of smoke. We understand that smoke from planned burns may cause concern for some people, but it’s important that our crews take every opportunity while conditions are right to reduce bushfire risk. 

“We work closely with the Bureau of Meteorology to assess weather conditions such as humidity, temperature and wind speed, and will only carry out burns when conditions are suitable.” 

For the latest information about when planned burns are happening near you go to www.ffm.vic.gov.au/plannedburn, download the Vic Emergency app or call the VicEmergency hotline on 1800 226 226. Or you can register for the Planned Burning Notification System via www.ffm.vic.gov.au/plannedburn 

If you are experiencing any symptoms that may be due to smoke exposure, the Department of Health and Human Services advises people to seek medical advice or call Nurse-on-Call on 1300 60 60 24.