SKIPTON, VIC. — A successful planned burn has been carried out at Skipton following years of planning to reduce bushfire risk to the township.
Skipton Common, an approximately 100-hectare reserve, has long been a concern for the local community due to its proximity to Skipton and the potential risk it poses during bushfire conditions.
CFA Acting Vegetation Management Officer (West Region) Matthew Keller said the burn followed extensive work to develop a long-term approach to bushfire mitigation.
“The Common had been identified as a concern for some time, but following the Streatham fire there was renewed community interest in finding a long-term solution to help reduce risk to the township,” Matthew said.
Representatives from the Western Region Ecological Network (WREN), Skipton Fire Brigade, Beaufort Group, CFA’s Vegetation Management Team and local Landcare groups formed a committee to develop a shared management approach.
The group met regularly to discuss treatment options, priorities and how to balance fire risk reduction with environmental considerations.
“This wasn’t a one-off burn. The group developed a three-year management plan to guide future treatment across the reserve, including annual maintenance around the township boundary,” Matthew said.
After monitoring weather forecasts and undertaking further planning, crews identified a suitable opportunity to complete the planned burn on April 27.
Matthew said the intricacies of the burn required careful planning.
“A lot of planning went into this burn because the area sits close to homes and private assets, so we had to wait for the right conditions to manage fire behaviour and keep smoke away from the township and highway,” Matthew said.
“Planned burning is not about burning for the sake of it. Every burn starts with a clear objective, whether that’s protecting homes, farms, roads, critical infrastructure or environmental values.”
Matthew said the burn formed part of an ongoing effort to reduce fuel loads and improve community safety around Skipton.
“The burn reduces the overall fuel hazard, which can reduce fire intensity and give firefighters the upper hand if a bushfire approaches the town,” Matthew said.
CFA Acting Deputy Chief Officer (West Region) Steve Alcock said planned burns are an important part of bushfire preparedness.
“We know we can’t stop every fire, but fuel management is one of the most important tools we have to reduce the impact fires can have on communities,” Steve said.
“The burn at Skipton Common is a good example of local agencies, land managers and the community working together to address a long-standing fire risk.”
CFA has exceeded its planned burn targets across the state in the last two years.
