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Tasmania’s fire agencies have begun conducting fuel reduction burns as conditions dry out after recent rainfall.
Fire and Emergency Management Minister Felix Ellis says Tasmanians can expect to see more fuel reduction burns over coming weeks.
“Through our government’s 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future, we are … reducing relative bushfire risk by 25 per cent,” he says.
“The TFS will advertise planned burns on social media, and people can also use the TasALERT App to be notified when fuel reduction burns commence in your area.”
The Tasmanian Fire Service is urging property owners to reduce their bushfire risk.
TFS Acting Director of Community Fire Safety, Chris Collins says “while we can’t stop bushfires occurring, fuel reduction can help to reduce the intensity of bushfires this summer”.
“By reducing the intensity of bushfires, we make them easier and safer for our firefighters to control,” he says.
“This spring, Tasmania Fire Service is conducting fuel reduction burns in the Wivenhoe, St Marys, Scamander, South Hobart, Nubeena and Port Arthur areas.”
To learn how to prepare your property, visit https://bushfire.tas.gov.au/
ONLINE PERMIT SYSTEM
Meanwhile, the first stage of the state government’s new online fire permit system is now complete, according to Ellis.
He says this is a critical step in simplifying the fire permit system and make it more efficient.
“Fuel reduction burns save lives and the new online fire permit system is making it easier than ever to obtain a fire permit and register a burn,” Ellis says.
“By creating a smoother process and providing our farmers and rural landowners with options for registering their burns, we’re aiming to reduce the number of unnecessary call outs for our firefighters.”
Tasmanians conducting burns in the coming months are encouraged to register their burns and keep surrounding property owners in the loop.
“It’s a great time of year to make your property summer-safe. I encourage all landowners planning a burn to be responsible, well equipped, and make sure you have a chat to the neighbours before starting your burn,” Ellis says.
The first stage of the digital system is now available via the Tasmania Fire Service website www.fire.tas.gov.au.
