Only half of planned burns occurred due to prolonged and challenging fire season

The duration and intensity of Victoria’s fire season severely impacted the number of planned burns that were performed.

The duration of Victoria’s fire season made it hard to perform planned burns. Picture: David Caird

Victoria’s fire management authorities say only half of the state’s planned burn targets were reached in the past 12 months because it was “one of the most difficult and challenging on record”.

Forest Fire Management Victoria has revealed the agency struggled to meet burn targets due to the changing climate conditions, ongoing bushfires and the pandemic.

It’s 2019-20 file management report released on Friday said despite the problems crews were able to reduce fuel on more than 50,000ha – half of 100,000ha target.

The goal for 2019-20 was originally set at 230,000ha, however, 130,000 ha was burned during last seasons unprecedented bushfires, alleviating pressure on firefighters.

Chief Fire Officer Chris Hardman said it was one of the hardest years for crews.

“The scale and length of the bushfire season had direct impacts on the delivery of the 2019–20 fuel management program,” he said.

“The early onset of extreme bushfire conditions in spring 2019 meant very little planned burning could be safely undertaken.

“The prolonged fire season and wet autumn 2020 also reduced opportunities for broad scale planned burning.”

Despite the challenges burns were conducted in many high-bushfire-risk areas including the Otway Ranges and Wombat Forest and areas around Reefton, the Dandenong Ranges, Ballarat, Bendigo, Castlemaine, Heathcote and Avoca, as well as Gippsland.

When conditions weren’t suitable for burns FFMVic teams attempted to clear using slashers or mowers, Chief Hardman said.

It was also flagged that forest fires were less of a risk this year with grass and crop fires were the main risk on the radar.

Despite the widespread fuel reduction this year, authorities were still concerned of the ongoing impact of climate change and the increasing challenge of trying to save property and lives in future seasons.