DOZENS more planned fuel-reduction burns are expected to start across Victoria today.
More than 600 firefighters will conduct planned burns at locations across the state as suitable weather conditions allow efforts to be ramped up.
Department of Sustainability and Environment state duty officer Andrew Graystone said the planned burn program was essential for the long term protection of communities.
“Many towns in Victoria are surrounded bush and we need to make sure they are prepared for next summer,” Mr Graystone said.
“Planned burning is highly weather dependent but is not without risk.
``For a planned burn to go ahead, we take into account a number of factors including weather, vegetation, last time since burn, how close the burn is to private property and the ecological impacts or benefits from the burn.”
DSE plans to burn areas in East Gippsland, the Otways, the Mallee, the Dandenong Ranges and around Melbourne’s major water catchments, with the biggest burns in the Otways, the Mallee and East Gippsland.
Crews are also continuing to monitor and mop up other planned burns that have been conducted over the last couple of days.
For information on fires or planned burns in Victoria and general fire safety, phone the Victorian Bushfire Information Line on 1800 240 667 or visit the DSE Fires or CFA websites.
