Spring fuel reduction burns working to make summer safer

With conditions now drying out following recent spring rains, Tasmania’s Fire Agencies have begun undertaking fuel reduction burns across the state. 
 

Now in its eleventh year, Tasmania’s Fuel Reduction Program is a partnership between Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service (PWS), Sustainable Timber Tasmania (STT) and Tasmania Fire Service (TFS). 
 

Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management, Felix Ellis, said Tasmanians can expect to see more fuel reduction burns taking place over the coming days and weeks, reducing the risk of bushfire to our communities and environment. 

 
“Through our government’s 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future, we are continuing to back in our nation-leading Fuel Reduction Program, reducing relative bushfire risk by 25 per cent,” Minister Ellis said. 
 

“The TFS will advertise planned burns on social media, and people can also use the TasALERT App to be notified when fuel reduction burns commence in your area.” 

 
While the Fuel Reduction Program is focused on broad scale community protection, the Tasmanian Fire Service is urging property owners to prepare their own properties to reduce bushfire risk. 
 

TFS Acting Director of Community Fire Safety, Chris Collins said while we can’t stop bushfires occurring, fuel reduction can help to reduce the intensity of bushfires this summer. 
 

“By reducing the intensity of bushfires, we make them easier and safer for our firefighters to control,” he said. 
 

“This spring, Tasmania Fire Service is conducting fuel reduction burns in the Wivenhoe, St Marys, Scamander, South Hobart, Nubeena and Port Arthur areas. 
 

To learn how to prepare your property, visit https://bushfire.tas.gov.au/ and sign up to the Bushfire Ready Challenge. 
 

For more information on planned burns, visit the ‘What’s Burning Now?’ page on the Tasmania Fire Service website. 
 

Recent completed burns 

PWS: Balfour, Dempster Plains, Andrew River, Lees Paddocks. 

STT: St Helens, Geeveston, Derwent Bridge. 

TFS: Strahan, Beaconsfield, Bellingham, Derwent Bridge. 

Upcoming planned burns 

PWS: Tomahawk, St Helens, South Bruny, Adventure Bay, Anne River, Beechford. 

STT: St Helens, Gladstone, Woodsdale, Nugent, Moogara, Rosebery. 

TFS: Wivenhoe, St Marys, Scamander, South Hobart, Nubeena, Port Arthur.