Fuel reduction burning at Freycinet and Strahan

16/04/2012

The Parks and Wildlife Service (PWS) has advised that planned burns are taking place on the east and west coasts this week while weather conditions are suitable.

PWS operations manager Mark Bryce said subject to weather conditions, staff will take advantage of the fine conditions this week to conduct planned burns at Freycinet National Park and near Strahan on the West Coast.

“These two burns are both aimed at reducing fuel levels to protect assets,” Mr Bryce said.

“For example the planned burn on Crown land known as the rifle range south-east of Strahan is aimed at reducing the fuel load in the buttongrass to protect the township of Strahan from uncontrolled bushfires during summer.

“At Freycinet National Park, a planned burn will be undertaken between Honeymoon Bay and the Fisheries. This burn has been identified in the Freycinet National Park Emergency Management Plan and it is aimed at protecting the shacks at The Fisheries and track head infrastructure for the Wineglass Bay and Peninsula tracks.”

Mr Bryce said that while fuel reduction burns do not solve the problem of bushfires by itself, reduced fuel levels will slow the rate of spread of a fire, reduce the risk of spot fires and provide safe places from which fire crews can fight the fire.

Both burns are planned for tomorrow. During the burn, Freycinet National Park will be closed south of the Cape Tourville Road, including the Wineglass Bay lookout, Mt Amos and all of the peninsula walking tracks. Motorists in the area are advised there may be a great deal of smoke which may reduce visibility on the road.

 At Strahan, burning is scheduled to begin tomorrow, weather permitting, and continue until Thursday. Strahan residents are advised there will be local impacts from smoke immediately in the area of the rifle range, and across Strahan township and Macquarie Harbour.

 “We advise people with medical conditions that may be affected by smoke to have a personal plan for avoiding smoke,” Mr Bryce said.

 “We also strongly advise people intending to visit remote national parks or reserves in the coming weeks to check with local PWS offices to get the latest information on the burning schedule so that they do not travel into an area where a burn is planned.”

 For detailed information on planned burns go to the PWS website www.parks.tas.gov.au.