Chum Creek first in line of fire

By Kath Gannaway
FUEL reduction burns started in the Yarra Valley last week, with the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) igniting 41-hectares of bush near Chum Creek.
DSE Port Phillip fire manager Bernard Barbetti said the burn in the Yarra Ranges State Forest was part of the department’s planned autumn burning program, which aimed at protecting the Chum Creek and Healesville communities from fire.
There are 53 burns planned for areas including the Dandenongs, St Andrews and Launching Place to the northeast, Yellingbo and Cockatoo to the east and Arthurs Seat National Park to the south.
Mr Barbetti said weather conditions appeared suitable for autumn burning to start earlier this year but warned residents not to become complacent with fire.
“The public should be aware that CFA fire restrictions are still in force, and we will still have days of high fire danger throughout the autumn burns period,” he said.
Mr Barbetti said completion of DSE’s statewide 2007-08 program of 130,000 hectares would be dependent on favourable conditions in March and April, when about 80 per cent of DSE’s burns are conducted.
He said DSE would take all opportunities to burn this season, in close consultation with local communities, the Bureau of Meteorology and the Country Fire Authority.
“We try to minimise smoke impact on communities, but some smoke is inevitable and we ask people for their understanding,” Mr Barbetti said.
“Planned burns are not without risk, however, the risk of burning is far outweighed by the increased risk of bushfire if burning is not done.”
DSE plans burns with local communities and stakeholders through its Fire Operations Plans, which are reviewed annually.
The plans are on the DSE web site and comment is welcome.
Anyone who is concerned that smoke may be a bushfire or for further information on fires or planned burns, call the Victorian Bushfire Information Line on 1800 240 667 (free call) or the TTY on 1800 122 969.