Brigades join forces to conduct planned burns

Ignition team monitoring fire behaviour.

 

Brigades from across District 9 recently came together to help South Gippsland Shire Council to deliver two planned burns in Kongwak Pioneer Reserve.

 

Brigades from the Stzelecki and South Gippsland Groups delivered two fuel reduction burns 0n 25 March alongside members of the South Gippsland Shire bush reserve crew. 

These burns helped to reduce the risk to nearby communities and encourage native plant regeneration. The burns were a great opportunity for crews to strengthen their knowledge of ignition patterns and observe fire behaviour when it interacts with different fuel types. 

A recent fuel hazard assessment of the reserve showed it had very high fuel loads. An assessment following the planned burn showed a fuel hazard rating over the planned burn areas of low, which is a great outcome for the local community. 

Fuel reduction burns go a long way to help mitigate the effects of wildfire and the use of controlled fire not only reduces fuel loads but can help to increase the health and biodiversity of reserves such as Kongwak. 

Planned Burn Operations Officer (PBOO) on the day Gary Williams said, "The Shire crews did a great job in preparing the burn blocks and CFA crews did pre- and post-burn work to ensure a safe and successful burn, mitigating any threat to the nearby residents from the burns".

Thanks to brigade members from South Gippsland Group, Strzelecki group, Tarwin Lower, Koonwarra, Dumbalk, Kongwak, Leongatha, Leongatha South, Poowong, Ruby, Mirboo North, Allambee, Nilma North, Nerrena, Thorpdale and staff from District 9 HQ who attended the burn. 

 

Submitted by	Mitchell Emmett