By Kath Gannaway
The first of the autumn planned burns have started, with Forest Fire Management Victoria and CFA crews conducting planned burns at Lysterfield Park on Friday, 10 March.
Further burns are planned for Silvan on Saturday and others in the Upper Yarra Valley and Powelltown on Tuesday.
DELWP have warned that smoke may be visible in the outer Dandenong Ranges, Yarra Valley and the outer south-eastern suburbs.
Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Chris Eagle, said: “These planned burns represent the first few across the greater Melbourne region during the Autumn planned burning season.”
Mr Eagle said access to mountain bike and walking tracks will be restricted in areas of Lysterfield Park over the weekend to ensure the burn is carried out safely.
Staff are on-site at Lysterfield Park to answer any questions people may have.
“Forest Fire Management Victoria and CFA crews conduct planned burns to reduce bushfire risk to communities and the environment,” Mr Eagle said.
He said the burns only went ahead when the weather and other conditions were right, so plans could change.
To find out if smoke indicates a planned burn or a fire, visit emergency.vic.gov.au, check the VicEmergency App or call (the VicEmergency Hotline) on 1800 226 226
For information on when planned burns are happening, and where, go to www.vic.gov.au/plannedburn.
Other options are to access the Planned Burn Notification System (PBNS), which is an opt-in system that can send an SMS or email message prior to a burn being carried out and when it is in progress, and/or download the VicEmergency app or call VicEmergency on 1800 226 226.
