Bushfire concerns around illegal dumping in state forests: FCNSW
Forestry Corporation is monitoring state forests in the Bathurst area after a recent spate of illegal dumping incidents. Forest rangers have found piles of plastic coating that has been burnt off cabling ... “A key concern for Forestry Corporation is the risk that the fires will spread into the pine plantations."
Lessons from Tumut and Tumbarumba salvage success shared with timber industry: FCNSW
Effective collaboration across the timber industry and learning the lessons from past fire salvage efforts have been highlighted as key factors underpinning the success of the record salvage program in the Tumut and Tumbarumba regions following the Black Summer fires in a report commissioned by Forestry Corporation of NSW.
Farmers urged to monitor damp haystacks for fire risks
CFA is urging farmers to ramp up their hay maintenance for the remainder of the season, following a surge in haystack fires, with CFA responding to more than 50 since November. Igniting predominantly in the western parts of the state across the Wimmera and Loddon Mallee, CFA has responded to 29 in the North West region and 12 in the West region.
Tower’s 100th birthday
It was quite the gathering at the Mount Tarrengower tower’s 100th birthday last Friday, especially when you consider that it was an impromptu event put together in a matter of days ... Former fire tower operator Peter Skilbeck pointed out that he had spent almost a third of his life - 26 years - working on top of the tower.
MP diverts to make special visit to truckers
After learning that the Need for Feed Australia convey of donated hay was heading to Ardlethan Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke made a special diversion from her scheduled route to meet up with the inspiring team ... the 26-truck convoy ...
Evacuation centre delay “unfathomable”
The collective community recovery committees in the Upper Murray have taken the Towong Shire Council to task over the lack of action in establishing evacuation centres in Corryong, more than four years after the devastating 2019-20 Black Summer bushfires.
Aussie Hay Runners make hay-raising return
More than 60 heavy vehicles transporting 2144 bales of premium hay arrived in Grafton and Ulmarra on January 26 after completing an incredible 98860km journey from regional Victoria to the Clarence Valley. It was the third time the Aussie Hay Runners had returned to the region...
Fire risk not over in the Wimmera
For the first time in many years, a fire observing aircraft will be situated for the next month in the Wimmera due to the alleviated fire risk during this time. Aircraft are strategically positioned across the State depending on risk, and while this area has had aircraft in place when required, Horsham aerodrome will now have a fire observing aircraft fulltime, for at least the next 30 days.
New scheme to help farmers fight fires: NSW Farmers Association
Farmers have welcomed the launch of a new trial scheme to help first responders fight bushfires. Under the new scheme, Farm Fire Units (FFUs) – or private vehicles used for firefighting purposes – can now be driven unregistered, provided certain conditions are met.
Fires and then floods ”¦
Fires and floods–Central Victoria has copped it all in the past couple of weeks. Fire Brigades and the SES have been busy ... a fire in Maldon that involved a 36 volt lithium ion battery that was sitting on its charger, but was not plugged in.
The risks of lithium battery powered devices such as electric vehicles, e-bikes and e-scooters and small home devices for Strata communities: OCN
The increase in popularity of lithium-ion battery powered devices such as e-bikes and e-scooters and small home devices has some far reaching implications for managing fire risk in strata communities ... Owners Corporation Network is holding a webinar on 15 February ...
CFA quells crop fire opposite Nhill Racecourse
A fire broke out on Tuesday evening at approximately 5 o’clock ... it started on the Western Highway opposite the Nhill Racecourse and burned approximately 90 acres of wheat crop. CFA Captain Rob Schneider said, "The fire burnt up to the back of the houses in Leahy Street...
Financial support available for primary producers in extreme weather aftermath: QFVG
Summer 2023/4 has proven to be volatile for Queensland growers ... Growcom, the project delivery arm of the Queensland Fruit & Vegetable Growers (QFVG), in conjunction with the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA), will host a webinar this coming Friday, 19 January to help primary producers recover from these events.
Opportunities to improve fuel management across NSW: John O’Donnell
John O'Donnell. The NSW Rural Fire Service 2022/2023 Annual Report shows that, areas of annual hazard reduction burning and mechanical reduction in NSW are both at very low rates and vary by year ... Considering the extent of chronic eucalypt decline and thick understories in many NSW forests, strategies and actions to address these major issues across NSW landscapes and reduce intense bushfire risks are opportune but overdue, using low intensity maintenance burning and mechanical treatment of forests.
Bushfire warning areas for Yanchep, Gingin and Chittering
Firefighters are battling three bushfires in the north-eastern outskirts of the metropolitan area – with residents needing to be aware warning areas have moved further into Yanchep and Yeal ... A map above accessible on Emergency WA website ... shows the warning areas associated with the three bushfires...
Evacuation centre set up in Gingin
The Department of Communities has set up an evacuation centre at the Bendigo Centre Recreation Grounds on Weld St in Gingin for people affected by the Bindoon-Chittering bushfire, which has burnt 2600ha ... Register with Register.Find.Reunite to let your family and loved ones know you’re okay via https://redcross.org.au from any computer or mobile device, or at an evacuation centre.
Proposed park increases fire risk
The Mountain Cattlemen’s Association of Victoria (MCAV) is warning that bush users will not sit by and watch the creation of a Great Forest National Park, as recently recommended by the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council (VEAC). The VEAC report suggests converting around 75 per cent of the Central Highlands region into "a large protected area such as a national park."
Watching grass dry can keep you safe
The CFA is calling on Victorians to become ‘citizen scientists’ to help contribute critical information about the state’s fire risk. The 2023-24 fire season is expected to be hotter and drier than recent years and grassland curing observers play a vital role in collecting ground information.
On the lookout for fires
On days of high fire danger, you’ll find Rob Howe in the cabin on top of the Mount Tarrengower tower, on the lookout for fires. This is his first year as the designated tower operator on top of Mount Tarrengower.
Hour of horror
It was an hour of horror. That’s how many have described the severe storm that hit the western edge of Millicent ... In an hour’s time, the storm had uprooted trees, tore down power lines, blown roofs off, and caused widespread devastation...
Forests, fires and burns – still no consensus
Is this really how harvested forests are left? Australian Rural & Regional News looks into recent statements that highlight continuing conflicting and confusing information in the public domain about connections between forestry operations and bushfires and whether prescribed burns reduce bushfire risk.
Royal Commission’s 15 recommendations for better preparation for disasters are complete
In response to the extreme bushfire season of 2019-2020, the Royal Commission made 15 recommendations. The recommendations were released in October 2020. The 15 recommendations fell under Federal Government responsibility. They have all been implemented and completed.
