THE region’s forestry fire fighting arsenal is ready to respond to a fire emergency following major plantation managers pulling together ahead of Friday’s official start to the fire danger season.
With fire events continuing to unfold interstate, regional forestry industry firefighting resources have been strengthened to combat any developing threat.
More than 350 staff members/contractors and around 85 pieces of equipment form part of a cross-border regional strategy to prevent fire devastating regional plantations.
A regional fire equipment exhibition was held in Dartmoor this week where the 10-member Green Triangle Forest Fire Cooperative met for a final strategy session and equipment check.
The industry collaboration was sparked by the 1979 February Caroline plantation fires near Mount Gambier, which burnt more than 3000ha of softwood plantation.
With the Green Triangle plantation estate underpinning 7000 jobs, the cooperative spokesperson Greg Saunder said the sector had to be fully prepared to protect the valuable asset.
He said the cooperative was indicative of the strong cross-border collaboration between forests managers and fire authorities, with a focus on enhancing the region’s fire protection and suppression mechanisms.
“On bad fire days we ensure all equipment is available at strategic locations across the Green Triangle region and we undertake patrols in plantation areas,” Mr Saunder said.
“The industry invests thousands of hours annually on training for new and existing personnel in various roles from firefighters to incident management staff.
“We also partner with fire authorities to undertake joint training events and fire simulations to insure all our resources work seamlessly together to prevent or minimise losses to our communities.”
Mr Saunder said the forest managers cooperative was formed two years ago to build on the solid foundations of the Forest Owners Conference, which was created 40 years ago after the devastating Caroline fire.
“The Forest Owners Conference is a collaboration between industry members themselves and between industry and the fire authorities in Victoria and South Australia,” he said.
“This has resulted in, among other things, the formation of Country Fire Authority and Country Fire Service forest industry brigades and the introduction of fire-bombing aircraft to the region through industry funding, which allowed bombers to be on standby on bad fire days.”
The fire equipment expo was initiated by the Country Fire Authority and Forest Fire Management Victoria.
The cooperative members include Australian Bluegum Plantations, AKD Softwoods, ForestrySA, Green Triangle Plantation Forest Company of Australia, Green Triangle Forest Products, Hancock Victorian Plantations, OneFortyOne Plantations, PF Olsen, SFM Environmental Solutions and Timberlands Pacific.
The fire danger season officially started on Friday in the Lower South East.
With a number of fires already igniting across the state this week, Country Fire Service acting regional commander Bruce Lacey urged Limestone Coast residents to prepare their properties.
Although the grass appeared green in some areas, he warned the undergrowth was dry and would not take much to ignite.
“The extended warmth of our winter has also dried out a loft of the plantation timbers and nature reserves,” he said.
“Now is the time for everyone to update their bushfire survival plans to make sure they are prepared, have a plan and stay informed,” the fire chief said.
Meanwhile, South Australian Police are also focusing their efforts to the threat of bushfires through Operation Nomad.
Operation Nomad focuses on “deliberate, reckless and negligent” acts that may cause a bushfire.
People are encouraged to contact the police assistance line on 131 444 to report any suspicious activity, this includes forestry areas.
