Forest Fire Management Victoria has begun work to strengthen 217 kilometres of strategic fuel breaks across the North Eastern Victoria. Source: Timberbiz
Strategic fuel breaks are used as corridors where vegetation and fuels are significantly reduced to create a safer area for firefighters to respond to fires and conduct planned burning.
They are usually associated with existing forest roads and have had hazardous trees removed.
“Strategic fuel breaks protect our firefighters from dangerous radiant heat and hazardous trees, so it’s safer and faster for them to respond to bushfires threatening communities,” said Hume deputy chief fire officer, Aaron Kennedy.
During the past 12 months, 135 kilometres of works have been completed across the region as part of the Victorian Government’s $35 million investment in bushfire management.
“Breaks are built in places, which we know from experience provide firefighters with access and options to backburn to keep communities safe,” Mr Kennedy said.
“They also support other work such as planned burning by providing safe and easy access to high fire risk areas.”
Works to strengthen existing strategic breaks across the region are planned to continue this month, including forest areas in the Buckland Valley, Dartmouth and Harrietville.
Traffic control and road closures will be in place while the works are completed.
