Category Archives: Fire Management

A sobering look across the Pacific

Posted on 2 February, 2018 by fobif

So far Victoria has passed through summer without disastrous fire events. In case you missed it, however, it’s worth casting a sympathetic eye across the Pacific to California, a US state with perhaps better environmental credentials than some. Maybe there … Continue reading →

Posted in Fire Management | Comments Off on A sobering look across the Pacific

Fuel for thought on fire

Posted on 18 December, 2017 by fobif

Fuel reduction burning is necessary, but not enough: that’s the conclusion of Tasmanian research released last Friday. The research, by the University of Tasmania, found that it would take an impossible amount of burning to reduce the impact of major … Continue reading →

Posted in Fire Management, News | Comments Off on Fuel for thought on fire

OK, we have some facts: what do we do with them?

Posted on 27 November, 2017 by fobif

A disappointing feature of the ARI gathering was the disconnect between the findings and any possible management implications. Several questions aiming to find a practical response to the research were batted away. It’s very obvious that there are in fact … Continue reading →

Posted in Fire Management, News | Comments Off on OK, we have some facts: what do we do with them?

Fires and misfires 1: how does a planned burn happen?

Posted on 11 September, 2017 by fobif

DELWP fire officers had two info sessions in this region last month to brief residents about the upcoming fire season, and planned burning operations. To see where these burns are taking place on the Department of Environment’s interactive map, click … Continue reading →

Posted in Fire Management | Comments Off on Fires and misfires 1: how does a planned burn happen?

Fires and misfires 2: don’t be put off

Posted on 11 September, 2017 by fobif

In spite of these gloomy considerations, fire managers can point to some significant advances over past practices. Community consultation and information is certainly taken more seriously than it was 15 years ago. And the cautious reintroduction of indigenous burning to … Continue reading →

Posted in Fire Management | Comments Off on Fires and misfires 2: don’t be put off

Winter–and a backward look

Posted on 3 July, 2017 by fobif

So it’s been the driest June on record around much of Victoria. Castlemaine weather station recorded 7 mls of rain for the month, compared to long term average of 56 mls. The previous lowest June rainfall was 13 mls in … Continue reading →

Posted in Fire Management, Nature Observations | Comments Off on Winter–and a backward look

Not all fuel ‘reductions’ are the same

Posted on 3 July, 2017 by fobif

What conclusions are to be drawn from the Loop Track fire? In the absence of careful and detailed pre and post burn monitoring, caution is needed. We’ve found it impossible to get from DELWP a considered opinion on the effectiveness … Continue reading →

Posted in Fire Management | Comments Off on Not all fuel ‘reductions’ are the same

Mmmm…not sure about this one

Posted on 27 February, 2017 by fobif

DELWP has been active in Kalimna Park preparing for its proposed Autumn management burn. Works include vegetation clearance on the eastern margins of the tourist road, and the creation of an earth break on the north side of the golf … Continue reading →

Posted in Fire Management, News | Comments Off on Mmmm…not sure about this one

The impossible dream: we can have public safety without trashing the bush

Posted on 5 December, 2016 by fobif

Here are a few conclusions we can draw from recent meetings with DELWP fire managers in the last two weeks: The proposal to frequently burn Expedition Pass and surrounds is definitely off. It was a mapping error, and we’ll pass … Continue reading →

Posted in Fire Management, News | Comments Off on The impossible dream: we can have public safety without trashing the bush

Let’s burn the Res! And while we’re about it, let’s burn the Loddon!

Posted on 3 November, 2016 by fobif

Fire management zones in our area have been revised to accommodate the new ‘risk’ system which has replaced the unlamented five per cent target. The  new zones–which are up for public comment– can be seen the map at the end … Continue reading →

Posted in Fire Management, News | 1 Comment