Over the past few weeks, communities in the bush have told the state government they want more fuel reduction burning to better protect them from bushfire.
The Premier has responded by announcing $382 million to scale-up planned burning over the next four years to 275,000 hectares.
We will review the effectiveness and impacts of this program, and the best way to achieve 385,000 hectares within two years.
Victoria’s Department of Sustainability and Environment is already committed to stepping up planned burning.
We are building our capacity by recruiting and training more permanent and seasonal firefighters, and planning what has to be done with local communities.
I want DSE to burn not just more area, but burn smarter – using the best science and modelling to monitor how the bush is faring.
I also want Victorians to be fully aware of the significant bushfire protection offered by planned burning, as well as the impacts. There are always risks when fires are lit.
But we will push on, as our priority is to help protect lives, properties and the bush from devastating and destructive bushfires.
EWAN WALLER,
Chief fire officer,
Department of Sustainability and Environment
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