Forest Fire Management Victoria crews undertook 12 planned burns from mid-October in areas such as Maiden Gully, St Arnaud, Heathcote, Rushworth, Tarnagulla, Redbank, Maryborough and Newstead.

Now, they are continuing their efforts with slashing and mowing around towns in a bid to reduce the bushfire risk in local communities.

Forest Fire Management Victoria Murray Goldfields District acting manager Simon Brown said all planned burns scheduled for spring we carried out, due to suitable weather conditions.

“The risk reduction works we do via planned burning is obvious to people due to the smoke in the air but we also carry out mechanical works,” he said. 

“We slash, mulch and mow on Crown land to reduce fire risk and clear tracks to ensure safe access to the bush for firefighters during fire season.”

Forest Fire Management Victoria crews have completed about 1600 hectares of mechanical works since starting in late spring. 

“We’ve been slashing, mowing and clearing tracks at 700 different parks, forests and reserves near towns in central Victoria including Bendigo, Castlemaine, Maryborough, Echuca, Maldon, Eaglehawk and Heathcote,” Mr Brown said. 

“Forecasts for summer show that parts of Victoria are at above average risk of bushfire and grassfire, and this dryness and risk is already evident in most of central Victoria.” 

Contact the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning on 136 186 to discuss bushfire risk reduction works on public land in your area.