The Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) and Parks Victoria are undertaking more planned burning to reduce the risk of bushfire to people, property and communities.

Reducing fuel loads near communities and remote areas can reduce the threat of damaging bushfires to communities and the environment. This means communities may be affected by smoke.

The following burns will be ignited tomorrow, Wednesday 18 April 2012 weather conditions permitting:

Murrindindi District:

• Toolangi, Marysville Alexandra and Broadford Areas - Commercial timber harvesting regeneration burns located in areas around Toolangi, Marysville, Alexandra and  Broadford

Ovens District:        

• Moyhu Edi Range South - A 926 hectare fuel reduction burn located 12 km south east of Moyhu
• Edi Range North - A 518 hectare fuel reduction burn located 2 km north east of Edi
• Souters Tk- A 614 hectare fuel reduction burn located in Mt Barambogie State Forest
• Carboor Range West - A 492 hectare fuel reduction burn located 7km west of Moyhu
• Carboor Range East - A 815 hectare fuel reduction burn located 3km west of Carboor

Upper Murray District:

• Shelley Barkman Fireline - A 175 hectare fuel reduction burn located 12 km north east of Shelley
• Scrubby Creek - A heap burn located at Mitta Mitta
• Holloways Mill Site - A heap burn located 20km South of Mitta Mitta

Note: There will be occasions when not all burns included on this list are ignited and/or completed within that time frame. This is primarily due to weather conditions.

DSE and PV are doing more planned burning to reduce the risk of bushfire to people, property and communities. You may be affected by smoke from these planned burns.

What to do

• If you are experiencing any symptoms that may be due to smoke exposure, the Department of Health advises that you should seek medical advice or call Nurse on Call on 1300 606 024.

Road users

• Road travel may be hazardous due to low visibility associated with smoke;
• Signs may be in place to slow traffic. Obey all traffic signs and instructions from fire agency crews near the burn.
• For road closures check www.vicroads.vic.gov.au
• Access to walking tracks, car parks, camping grounds and picnic sites in areas close to or in burn areas may be restricted [– list these if possible.]

Smoke and your home

• Close windows and doors to prevent smoke from entering.
• Avoid hanging washing out.

Stay informed

• For information about planned burning in Victoria visit www.dse.vic.gov.au/burns or call the Victorian Bushfire Information Line (VBIL) on freecall 1800 240 667. If you are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech impairment you can contact VBIL through National Relay Service on 1800 555 677
• If you have a smartphone you can download the free CFA FireReady application to see planned burns on a map.
•  Information about fires is available at www.cfa.vic.gov.au or by calling the VBIL.