Local West Coast landholders are urged by Tasmania Fire Service to register any burn-offs they are conducting on their property.
“At this time of year, we start to see an increase in calls to escaped burns and burn-offs that are in control but have not been registered on the TFS map,” said Regional Chief Shane Batt.
“Registering a burn is not an onerous task, nor is it designed to be a barrier to landholders conducting their bushfire mitigation activities. It provides TFS with information that populates a map on the TFS website so people can check for burn-offs before they report a fire.
“If TFS receives a call to a smoke sighting or a vegetation fire and there is a burn registered in the area, the landholder will be contacted before the brigade responding to see if assistance is required. If the burn is not registered and it is reported as a fire, the local volunteer fire brigade will respond to the property as an emergency incident.
“So, the benefit of registering a burn is that TFS is aware of any fires in the landscape, and the risk of an unwanted callout from the local brigade to your burn off, is reduced,” Mr Batt said.
People who want to conduct hazard reduction burns are encouraged to use the spring months, provided the winds are light, temperatures are low, and they have preparations in place.
Anyone planning on conducting a hazard reduction burn should remember to:
- Check fire restrictions with your local council and register your burn with TFS on 1800 000 699.
- Apply for a fire permit if required.
- Check and monitor weather conditions - particularly wind.
- To avoid unnecessary calls to emergency services, notify your neighbours beforehand.
- Leave a three-metre fire break, free from flammable materials down to bare earth around the burn.
- Have sufficient equipment and water to stop the fire from spreading.
- Never leave a burn unattended - stay for its entire duration.
- If your burn-off gets out of control, call triple zero (000) immediately.
- For more information about preparing your property, visit www.fire.tas.gov.au