Residue burning and adjacent prescribed burning of native vegetation has begun in the Mount Lofty Ranges in the lead-up to ForestrySA’s annual pine seedling replanting program. Source: Timberbiz
The burns will take place within the Mount Crawford forest localities Goat Farm, Colemans and South Para today, following recent harvest operations.
Other burns will be scheduled over the coming weeks at other localities within the Mount Crawford, Kuitpo and Second Valley reserves.
All trees in ForestrySA’s 10,000ha Mount Lofty Ranges plantation estate are replanted following harvest, allowing sustainable timber production into the future.
Post-harvest burns in commercial forest allows cultivation of the site for the next crop, however, ForestrySA is actively working to reduce residue burning wherever possible.
The proactive management of forest fuel loads post-harvest significantly mitigates bushfire risk, reducing the threat to the surrounding communities and ForestrySA’s surrounding plantation estate.
ForestrySA Commercial Operations Manager Peter Merry said a recent break in the season and end of the local Fire Danger Season meant the burns could now be scheduled.
“All burns will be carried out by experienced fire management staff in favourable weather conditions and in accordance with strict guidelines,” he said.
“Every effort is made to reduce the impact of smoke drift on the local community and neighbour notifications are now underway, as per the ForestrySA stakeholder engagement process.”
