After identifying grassy slopes on a railway bridge as a fire risk, the Guildford CFA took the opportunity to complete live fire training.
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The brigade noted the slopes that were covered in thick phalaris grasses as a danger to the town with the growth measureing about seven tonnes per hectare.
After deciding a planned burn was the best course of action to reduce the fuel load, Guildford CFA captain Ash Franklin used the controlled burn environment to give members exposure to a live fire situation.
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"The planned burn was very successful and we used this burn to give (local) brigades exposure to equipment that normally they would not have the opportunity to use," Ash said.
"The community of Guildford has given the thumbs up to not only a fire break but a cleaner entry into the village."
The grass had previously been burned in autumn, 2019, but - following a wet winter and spring - the grass had regrown by February, 2020. The recent planned burn was able to remove the heavy fuels on the eastern side of the bridge and a section to the west of the bridge was also burned again.
The planned burn saw the CFA, SES, VicTrack, Department of Transport, Mount Alexander Shire and traffic management agencies working together.