Autumn fuel reduction burn program to get underway

Published on 04 April 2022

The City of Launceston expects to begin its 2022 bushland fuel reduction burn program from Monday, April 4.

The burns will be conducted on days when the weather conditions are favourable and the program is expected to continue until May.

The Council uses a range of vegetation management programs to minimise bushfire risk, including a program of annual 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 preservation and regeneration and of native ecology. This year, the program will include 12 fuel reduction burns at locations across the municipality, with multiple burns at some sites.

Fuel reduction burns will be undertaken at:

Youngtown Regional Park

Russell Plains (Three scheduled burns)

Ravenswood Bushland Reserve

Punchbowl Reserve

Distillery Creek Reserve

Carr Villa Flora Reserve

Cataract Gorge Reserve (Four scheduled burns)

Detailed operational plans have been prepared for each burn, including smoke and dispersion modelling and risk assessments. The majority of burns will take approximately one day to complete.

People are asked to remain well away from the burn site until the burn is complete and area has been deemed safe.

Please comply with directions from onsite staff and any warning signage that may be in place. 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 Australia website.

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