2023 Fuel reduction burn program to get underway

Published on 17 March 2023

The City of Launceston expects to begin its annual fuel reduction burn program next week, weather depending.

The Council uses a range of vegetation management programs to minimise bushfire risk, including fuel reduction burns.

The aim of the annual fuel reduction program is to reduce existing fire hazards, protect property and other assets and to assist in the regeneration of degraded bushland.

This year, the program will include fuel reduction burns at:

Cambridge Street Reserve

Carr Villa Flora Reserve

Cataract Gorge

Merthyr Park

Punchbowl Reserve

Russells Plains

Youngtown Regional Park

Distillery Creek Reserve

In total, 14 fuel reduction burns have been planned at locations across the municipality, with multiple burns at some sites.

Detailed operational plans have been prepared for each burn, including risk assessment and smoke modelling and dispersion.

Operations are expected to take one day. While fire intensity is expected to be low, burns may generate flames, smoke and ash which may persist until the next rainfall event.

People with medical conditions are advised to have a personal plan for avoiding smoke from the burn. Advice is available from the Department of Health and Human Services website or Asthma Foundation of Tasmania's website.

Notifications of scheduled burns will be updated on the Council's website and Tasmania Fire Service website.