Forest managers cheer end of fire season

Recent heavy rains have confirmed the bushfire season in Australia’s south east is over for another year.
“For forest managers it has been the second quiet season in succession, with no major incidents on public forested land on the south coast,” said Forests NSW Southern Region operations manager Marty Linehan.
“While it has been a welcome break for fire fighters after a succession of dry years, the return to more moist conditions has led to prolific growth of vegetation within our forests, particularly grasses and shrubs.
“History suggests that bad fire years often follow good growing seasons and, with that in mind, Forests NSW has an ambitious burning program planned for coming months.”
Mr Linehan said the hazard reduction burning season would continue throughout autumn and winter, depending on weather conditions.
“The coastal strip between Nowra and the Victorian border is one of the most fire-prone regions of Australia,” Mr Linehan said.
“The management of fuel loads within forests is the best option available to land managers to reduce the risks posed by wildfire under summer conditions.
“This year’s program includes many burns carried over from last year because we had such a wet winter, so we will be taking every opportunity available to us to get back in front.
“Forests NSW relies heavily on seasonal employees to meet our targets and we will be advertising in the near future for suitably experienced people to assist us in the months ahead.”
Forests NSW works closely with the Rural Fire Service and the National Parks and Wildlife Service to develop a coordinated program that addresses the objectives of Bush Fire Risk Management Plans in each local government area.
Those objectives focus on community safety and the protection of assets.