2024 Fuel reduction burn program to get underway

Published on 28 March 2024

The City of Launceston expects to begin its annual fuel reduction burn program in early April, 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 bushland.

This year, the program will include fuel reduction burns at locations including the Cataract Gorge, Woods Reserve, Russells Plains and Carr Villa Memorial Park.

In total, nine 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 provided on the Council's website and Facebook page, and the Tasmania Fire Service and TasAlert websites.