A HANDFUL of fires in the south-west earlier in the week have served as a strong reminder to landowners to take care when burning off after the recent ending of the Fire Danger Period.
The weather on Tuesday played a part with a very cold morning and still conditions giving indication for an ideal opportunity to light a pile and get rid of excess vegetation fuel.
But winds picked up significantly in the middle of the day with a maximum temperature in the mid-20s also playing a part, with the dry conditions of the previous months catching some unaware and leading to fires escaping their containment and requiring CFA intervention.
Out-of-control burnoffs at Brit Brit and near Harrow township were attended to swiftly, yet still took some time to bring under control, with planned burns in Branxholme and at Springwood Road, Bulart also getting away unexpectedly.
The fire at Brit Brit also engaged private firefighting units with it spreading into a nearby blue gum plantation.
CFA District 5 commander, Rainer Kiessling said despite the ending of the Fire Danger Period “it’s still incumbent on the landowners to make sure that whatever they’re burning is conducted in a safe manner” and to “make sure that they’re within prescriptions”.
“It’s got to be less than a certain temperature, less than a certain wind speed and (other variables) - basically to make sure they’re burning (safely),” he said.
CFA District 17 (Horsham) commander, Lindsay Barry said the fire in Harrow was just one example of the weather quickly changing and the need for preparedness.
“With the increase in winds and weather for the afternoon, it’s left its place of origin and made its way into the road reserve,” he said.
Cmdr Barry said there had been “a number of fires” with similar stories across the region and defended the timing of the decisions to end the Fire Danger Period in different areas despite the dry conditions, saying the CFA took this seriously to “get that balance right with the community” and give people the opportunity to clean up before it gets too wet.
“I think we can walk outside today and realise that the weather’s definitely cooled off,” he said.
“However, that doesn’t remove the risk. So it’s about getting that calculation correct.”
He reminded landowners that property damage from an escaped fire was still a police matter.
“In this case, when we do get short periods of increased wind, especially on days like (Tuesday), it doesn’t remove people’s liability just because fire restrictions are lifted,” Cmdr Barry said.
“If people light a fire, outside of restrictions, and that fire gets away and damages people’s property, police will be notified.”
One fire that didn’t get away but still caused the question to be asked over radio communications was a significant planned burn at Cassidy Gap, situated north of Mt Abrupt in the Grampians National Park.
Covering a large area and generating a lot of smoke that could be seen from a long distance away, the status of the fire was queried by another brigade in the early afternoon, but the message was clear the fire remained under control.
Victoria Valley farmer, Bruce Burger said “as the day went on there was more and more smoke and then when it got dark it was glowing quite red”.
“I did drive up there and talk to a forest fire management fellow and he said, ‘oh, it’s all within the containment lines and there’s no dramas’.”
Mr Burger said he was generally quite happy to see lots of smoke at this time of year as it meant the reduction of fuel.
The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) has also issued a reminder for landowners to take the necessary steps to protect paddock trees when burning stubble on their properties.
They said native trees were protected by law and there were ways to avoid damaging them with good planning and management crucial to ensure they are protected in the long term.
Paddock trees have huge biodiversity benefits and good preparation before burning on property was important.
There are a few actions that can be taken to protect paddock trees: slash around the base of the tree to establish an adequate fire break; move woody debris from around the base of the tree; and wet the area around the tree before beginning a burn.
Grampians natural environment programs acting regional manager, Pauline Rudolph said to protect ecosystems, including livestock and crops, it was crucial to look after native plants in the area.
“It is important to protect native paddock trees,” she said.
“They provide shade to stock, reduce wind impacts to crops, store carbon, and provide habitat to important pollinators and birds that feed on pests.
“We encourage landholders to be well prepared before beginning a stubble burn.
“Creating firebreaks around trees and having water and equipment ready to extinguish the fire will ensure you can protect your valued native trees.”
Cmdr Kiessling said despite the Fire Danger Period being over, responsibility and precautions were still very important.
“The overarching message needs to be, just because the season’s ended … due care still needs to be taken.”
